Entre Les Murs

Old Friends

When Janet and I first moved into our apartment we had our dining room table pushed up against a window while we unpacked and painted around it.  As a consequence, we spent our meals looking out the window.  Since there is another building directly across the street, we saw a lot of our neighbours.  We became particularly familiar with a young couple directly opposite, who we dubbed Guillaume and Geneviève (who I've mentioned before here).   We watched them cook dinner and breakfast, got to know members of their family (we decided) who came to visit, noted the evolution of their decor, saw them in their nighties/boxers - we're not peeping, you understand, just looking out the window as we take a meal.  Over time we developed some affection for them. We were fairly sure that we'd like them in person.  However, once our own apartment took shape we have - with occasional pangs of regret - drifted out of touch with them.  We still see them from time to time, but we're just not as close.

We had a chance to catch up yesterday evening - and what a surprise to discover that Geneviève is pregnant!  You could even say she was 'showing' - but I haven't forgotten that this detail of their personal life is only accidentally public.

posted 19.2.07