Neighbourhood Posse

I live on a very quiet little street, a cul-de-sac actually, in a very sleepy little town. We're in an older part of town, so most of the people living on our street are retired, or pretty dang close to it. While it's nice to know that there is probably ALWAYS someone home in any of the neighbouring houses, it's not so nice that they all seem to know everyone's comings and goings, and everyone's business. Basically there ARE no secrets here.

After an appointment today, I turned onto my street and immediately notice that there was a group of my neighbour folk standing in the cul-de-sac intently and seriously talking, all the while facing MY house. The looks on their faces was very grim. Almost grave. It was serious talk. They certainly weren't just discussing the fact that the snowplow had pushed snow into their driveways. They stepped out of the way to let me in my driveway, and then when I got out of the van one of them (who rarely says much of anything to anyone) calls out "Hi. Everything OK with you folks?" All the while the other folks are staring intently anticipating my answer with some sort of thirst for something REALLY juicy or profound. I smile and simply reply "Great thanks! Did you all have a good New Year?". They all called out their replies, and I continued into the house. All the while they're watching me. Desperately trying to pull on their inner Edward Cullen and read my mind. Thankfully I'm Bella Swan-like and my mind blocks them. I picked up the phone to return a phone message, as I walked into the living room to park my arse and chat, I noticed my neighourhood posse quickly breaking apart and scurrying up their driveways. Miraculously, all these folks who HIRE people to clean their driveways all winter long, are all out there shovelling. Why you ask?! Because a police cruiser pulled up the driveway. The thing is, I didn't see the cruiser. Not until the knock came to the door. When I answered and saw this uniformed guest, I admit, I was a smidge taken aback. It's a friend of ours. One who came and celebrated New Years with us. He's standing there all official-like, with his obvious police car and his radio chirping away. When I answer he steps in. He proceeds to tell me that when I had passed him a few moments before, he had actually just left my house (he'd stopped by a few minutes earlier, but of course, I was still out). THAT of course explains my neighbourhood posse. TOO funny! He was just there to pick up some dishes and a cooler than they'd left on the weekend. He walked out afterwards and pulled out of the driveway. I can just imagine the rumours that are flying right now. When I went to get the kids off the bus, several of the houses I passed had their occupants 'peering' at me through the curtains. Like I'm sort of criminal or somehow connected to some major crime. I LOVE it!!! Give it a couple of days, and one of them WILL ask. The not knowing KILLS them. I'm pretty predictable with my daily routine, so one of them will time their walk to the mailboxes to coincide with mine, and they will ask. I just know it. For now . . . it's fun to watch them stew about it.