The old lady in my building who for about two months was afraid of me finally said hi yesterday. I think she was cornered by her own conscience. She had run out of reasons to be afraid of me.
She figured I didn’t bite even though I have vampire teeth. My teeth don’t scare her anymore. Maybe she spoke to Frau Weingarz, our landlady. If she did, then I believe Frau Weingarz said calming things to her, things that put her heart to rest.
She was from the laundry room at the basement of the flat. She walked up the steps to the first floor which hosts her apartment. The laundry basket rested against her side. She wasn’t in a rush.
I opened the front door. My house is on the second floor. We met on the first floor as I walked up the steps.
She had placed her laundry basket on the first step to the second floor. I didn’t see any fear written over her face this time. Maybe she had it and expertly hid it.
She opened her door. And as she picked her basket, “Guten Tag,” she greeted me.
“Guten Tag!” I responded.
Maybe we shall build our neighborly friendship from here. Maybe we shall meet again – this time at the parking lot – and hold a conversation.
Maybe I’ll get to ask her, “Haben Sie gut geschlafen?” And she’ll probably lighten up more. Maybe we’ll become chat buddies.
