Charlotte had no idea that her quiet neighborhood is hiding secrets. But when she finds out that her neighbors have been using her hot tub covertly for a year, she is shocked and furious. She decides to teach them something that will stick with them. But the more she looks into it, the more shocking information she discovers about the people who live next door. What do they hide?
On a beautiful afternoon, I was sitting in my backyard and staring out at our hot tub.
Tom and I bought our ideal house a few years ago, and it included a hot tub and a wonderful backyard.
We used to get really excited when we thought about all the calm nights we could have spent relaxing in the warm bubbles.
We knew who our neighbors were, even if we weren’t really near. Jim and Lisa’s adolescent children, Emma and Jake, lived next door. Although we didn’t have much time to get to know them, they appeared like kind people.
Usually, Tom and I would spend a lot of time in the hot tub, especially on the weekends. This year, though, was different.
Tom was working overtime to cover for a sick colleague because my new job required me to travel a lot. It seemed like we had been neglecting our hot tub for months, and we were always busy.
I missed our quiet moments together that we used to spend relaxing.
I gave my neighbors a priceless lesson after finding out that they had been enjoying my hot tub in secret for a whole year.
Feeling a little out of touch, I sighed. We really should start setting aside time for each other again, I realized. The spa looked abandoned, overgrown, and neglected. It acted as a prompt of the alterations in our lives.
I decided to give the phone call to Tom. “Hey, honey, I was thinking we need to start using the hot tub again,” he said. I answered him. It has been much too long.
Tom laughed softly. “Charlotte, I agree. Let us arrange arrangements for next weekend. We both need a little relaxation time.
I smiled, feeling somewhat more upbeat. Maybe everything could go back to normal, at least for a little while.
But before we could use the hot tub again, our neighbor Lisa dropped by one day.
“Charlotte, how about we have a quick talk?” She asked, looking a bit uncomfortable.
Indeed, Lisa. What is happening? Inquiring to know her thoughts, I responded.
Could Tom and you possibly keep it down on the weekends in the evenings? I hate to suggest it. Lisa murmured, looking down at her feet. Loud music and yelling came from your garden last Sunday as well. Although it feels like a long time has passed since I last talked, it will shortly be a year. The loudness bothers me so badly.
Fascinated, I stared at her. On Sunday, though, Lisa, Tom, and I were not in the city. Not that we were in attendance. We go out almost every weekend.
One evening, I smiled as Tom and I rested in our hot tub and enjoyed our peaceful garden. We did it, Tom, I said. “We’ve moved back in.”
Tom nodded as he clasped my hand. We strengthened our community in the process. I’m quite happy for us.
It was a difficult lesson in caution and trust, but it brought us all closer and stronger. And with that, I felt really grateful.
In the scenario, how would you have handled things?
