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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/books/action/view/entry_id/1034009
Rated: 18+ · Book · Music · #2231553
Fictitious and delicious!
#1034009 added June 19, 2022 at 8:45pm
Restrictions: None
Home Truths
“So, Dad, what neighborhoods were you looking at when you were buying a house?”

Jim shifted his hands on the steering wheel and peered at the still-red traffic light. “Let's see. There was Columbia Park, Windom Park, and Waite Park, where we ended up.”

Adrian nodded as he watched his dad accelerate in response to the changing light. He ruminate over what he knew about all of these places. Aside from the railroad tracks running through Columbia Park, all of the neighborhoods had similar traits: tree-lined streets, an abundance of quiet residential streets, spotty business presence, and a predominance of houses. Townhomes and apartment buildings were nowhere to be found in those areas. As his dad drove east, Adrian mulled over his next move.

“Was there anything about those particular neighborhoods that you really liked?”

“Well,” Jim started, “I told the real estate agent I was looking at homes where there wasn't a whole lot of traffic noise, not a lot of property crime, in the city but not right in the middle of it. The size of the house wasn't super important at the time.”

“How many houses did you look at before choosing the one you picked?”

“Five. They were all about the same size, but as I've mentioned before, the bonus room is what sold me on the ultimate choice.”

Jim steered the Subaru in the parking lot of the shopping center that held the pizza place. Once he found a spot near the door he killed the engine. Adrian took that as his cue to pull up the order confirmation on his phone and step outside.

Even with a slight delay in their order, Adrian and Jim didn't say much to each other as they waited. For his part, Adrian continued to think about the tidbits his dad dropped. It struck him how much emphasis his dad put on the location of the house, and the top priorities revolved around not being disturbed by noise. A few years ago, Adrian would not have given it much thought despite being a condo owner who walks wherever he needs to go. The fallout of the riots and watch Felicia grapple with her post riot trauma made him pay more attention to both what his dad said and didn't say. The cashier called Adrian's name and set the pizza boxes on the counter before Adrian could further contemplate the issues further.

The ride back to his parents' place started off quiet, as Adrian held the pizzas in his lap. The large insulated bag kept the heat of the fresh pizzas off his hands. After a bit, he shifted the bag and looked at his dad.

“Do you think Waite Park is still a good place to live?” he asked.

“Sure,” Jim replied. “Why do you ask?”

Adrian looked over. “It seems like that the people who live in the neighborhood is changing. I know Felicia's observed some changes in who's walking around when we come up here for pizza night.”

Jim shrugged. “I haven't really seen much of a difference. As long as the neighborhood stays quiet and we're not getting new apartment complexes on our block, all will be well.”

Adrian looked at his dad for a couple seconds before turning to face the window. His dad's remarks about apartment buildings felt off, given how Adrian and Felicia live in a condo. Too perplexed by his dad's somewhat contradictory position, he opted not to say anything for the rest of the drive to his parents' house.


Entry 3 in "The Bard's Hall Contest June 2022

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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/books/action/view/entry_id/1034009