During these weeks of wandering and exploring, I finally crossed paths with my third neighbor, the con man.
Carla had disparaged him during our initial exchange, and even the landlady had advised me to steer clear, admitting she had made a dreadful mistake in renting to him.
Even if I hadn’t been forewarned, I would have kept my distance.
One evening, I passed the con man as I came in and he went out.
He made a point to stop, tip his hat with a smile, and welcome the new neighbor.
I paused after his greeting and glanced his way.
He looked like a rodent, even with his elegant grooming. The first thing I noticed about him was his pointed river rat teeth.
I knew the type.
He reminded me of those I could never stand to work with in my former life.
I used to curse aloud every time somebody like him had been on the same team as me. Lazy and cunning, these men never pulled their share of the labor and they never took a beating for it.
Somehow, no matter how diligently the rest of us guarded our bales and baskets, these louts always managed to steal enough harvest from the fastest workers, and filled theirs so much they always came in with the heaviest weights.
Often they received praise they never earned, while the true workers would take whippings they never deserved.
I hated him on sight.
Instinctively, I dulled my gaze to avoid truly looking at him, turned my back, and made my way up the stairs without saying a word.
Even with the soul-crushing loneliness I endured every day, I wasn’t at all tempted to make his acquaintance.
Looking back, I was a fool to be so rude. To slight someone has always been to make an enemy.
I had already divided the fortune I came with into several smaller satchels and hid them in the nooks, crannies, window seats, and hidden drawers all over my apartment.
As soon as I knew a crook lived downstairs, I was extremely vigilant.
I felt more secure knowing that the most likely misfortune that could have occurred would have been the theft of something, but not everything.
Yet by snubbing him so blatantly, what had been a casual awareness on his end became an intense focus. His vanity had been wounded and after that, the con man wanted blood.
He started to follow me on my long walks through the Capital City. He was adept at trailing me. Every day, a prickling made my skin itch in that way whenever I knew somebody was watching me, but I could never figure out who that was.
Not once did I see the con man following me.
One day everything changed.
I had been in the Capital City for several weeks.
Autumn was at its peak, the trees burst with color and vivid piles of leaves lined the streets. The crisp coolness and smoky fragrance in the air made me buoyant that day, so much that I wanted to relax and savor the pleasures of a season I had always loved.
So I let my guard down, even though that prickling sensation was ever present.
That day was especially agreeable.
During this amble, I finally mustered the courage to go into shops and galleries in the elegant neighborhood near the Mayor’s Mansion, and there I found clothes and furniture and art.
The clerks were so courteous and helpful I wondered why it had taken me so long to try them. Not once did anybody treat me like I was an outsider who didn’t belong.
One boutique in particular had some simple yet beautiful ensembles of blouses, skirts, and coats with matching hats.
The merchants there were a husband tailor and a wife seamstress, and together they designed and made the clothes.
They were so welcoming and encouraging, I immediately made an appointment to come back for a fitting, even though I wasn’t sure what that was.
I was fairly certain a fitting would entail leaving with lovely new clothes.
It was later than usual when I made my way back to my neighborhood.
I passed my usual café, and slowed down.
But the café was full, with the loud voices and laughter of the night crowd.
Also, I wasn’t hungry.
My last stop in the elegant neighborhood had been in a more peaceful café, where I had taken tea, sandwiches, and finished with a small cup of drinking chocolate.
The taste and texture were marvelous! The sensation after I swallowed was unforgettable.
I felt like I glowed inside. I had never had anything so divine in my life.
The young man who had waited on me had been most attentive, and always smiling.
I was very sated when I came to my usual café.
Also the rowdy gaiety inside didn’t mix with the mellow euphoria I was in, and I wanted to enjoy it.
So I passed the café without going inside.
This was the first day that I felt like I was a part of things in this splendid place.
I was happy as I made my way back to my apartment.
I didn’t know how it happened.
But within a minute after turning the corner past the café to head towards my street, I turned my head and there was the rodent face of the con man.
He had come up silently and fallen in step beside me.
My expression must have betrayed my surprised displeasure at the sight of him.
“I beg your pardon,” he said. “It looks like you enjoyed a marvelous day until right now.”
I quickened my pace without a word.
But he stepped his up as well.
“It’s very disagreeable living in the same building as one who is as unfriendly as you are,” he continued in a wheedling tone.
“I wouldn’t say I’m unfriendly.”
“What would you say?”
“I’d say I don’t like you.”
What devil possessed me to express that!
I knew that was a mistake as soon as the words were out of my mouth.
Looking around, I realized the streets were quiet and empty.
Everybody was either at home preparing for a late night out, or was already out. I cursed myself for not paying attention, and for not going into the café.
“That’s offensive,” he crooned.
“I’d say it’s even rather foolish. I’ve been watching you, and you’re always alone.”
