Day 176 - Jealousy

 JEALOUSY

Prompt - Jealousy : Write with a theme of jealousy and envy

I don't get out much.  There's work of course, and Tesco, but that's about it.  I like my privacy, I like my solitude, I like not having to meet people.  And I like to watch.  Sat behind the blind in the bay window, I see them all.  Neighbours, families, visitors, tradespeople, passers by, the business of my end of the street.  They all live lives that most people would consider more interesting than mine.  I do not agree with most people.

Richard lives at number thirty eight, across the road and two houses to the right.  He is, I think, the most like me of those I see.  Goes to work (I have never asked what he does), stays home most of the time.  Gives the occasional nod of recognition, and an even less frequent 'Hi'.  I'm not sure how I know his name, but I do.

There are new neighbours at number forty four, across from me and one to the left.  Three young women now share the house.  They seem cheerful, exuberant, friendly, and one of them, I can't help but notice, is very very attractive.  I am wary, indeed fearful, of them.  And I do not like change.

Richard has changed.  He is not the Richard I thought, hoped, he was.  He is not like me.  Richard has been talking to the women at number forty four.  He smiles and laughs with them, he appears to flirt.  He goes into number forty four more often as the days go by.

The very very attractive young woman is called Becky.  I heard one of her friends shout to her as I came home.  When I got to my window Becky was outside number thirty eight.  She went inside.  Hours passed before she came out again and went home to number forty four.  A part of me tries to imagine what it could be like if Becky were to visit number forty one.  

Richard has driven a red Audi on to his driveway.  He did not have a car before.  The Audi has a 21 plate and is clearly brand new.  When Richard comes out the following morning he is wearing a suit.  It looks expensive.  I have not seen him in a suit before.  He drives off in the Audi.  I go for my bus.  Richard used to get the bus.  

Becky has moved into number thirty eight.  She is living with Richard.  A different young woman has joined the others in number forty four, replacing Becky.  She is not as attractive, but she smiled at me one morning.  I did not say anything.  I did not know what to say.

I know it should not be this way, but it is the way it is.  I spend too much of my time watching number thirty eight, wanting to know.  I spend too much time wanting to drive Richard's car and wear Richard's suit.  Most of all I spend too much time wishing I was Richard, with his car and his suit.  And with Becky.  Most of all I want to be with Becky.  Even though she also terrifies me.  

The different young woman said hello today and asked how I was.  I do not think she was really interested in my health.  So I said hello and went into my house.

The different young woman is called Julia.  She told me, and asked my name.  I told her.  She asked what I did at work.  I told her.  She seemed to want me to ask her something, so I asked what she did.  She's a plumber.  That reminded me that my water pressure has been reducing over the past month.  I wanted to ask her about Becky, but I didn't know what I wanted to ask.

Richard and Becky look happy together.  They smile, they laugh, every time I see them.  They go out most nights, return late.  Richard looks confident, well groomed, Becky looks poised, optimistic, they make a lovely couple.  I hate them both.

When I got home tonight there was a police car outside number thirty eight.  As I turned to close my gate I saw a policewoman and a policeman come out, with Richard between them.  He was wearing an expensive suit, no tie, and handcuffs.  They put him in the back of the police car and drove away.  I saw Julia cross the road and come to my gate.  

"Fraud" she said, "he's been siphoning money out of customer accounts for years now.  Turns out the Audi didn't come out of an inheritance after all.  Becky told Annabel she found out a couple of says ago.  She's broken up about it."  I guessed Annabel must be one of the other young women at forty four.  

"That's sad for Becky" I eventually managed to say.  And found that I meant it.  This surprised me.

Julia was about to leave.  I asked if she thought she might be able to do anything about my water pressure.  She said she'd come over tonight to have a look.