next door

The apartment next door to mine was recently vacated. Too bad it couldn't be the apartment below mine, which would cure the 7AM wake-up on Saturday mornings by their dog. That's another story. I've been curious about the apartment next door ever since I moved into this complex. As you walk to my front door, you pass by a window into the unit's living room. Of course, it's impolite to stare into somebody's home, but almost impossible to avoid when the blinds are up. These few glimpses have always proved mysterious, and nurtured the germ of obsession.

The web site for my complex lists all the floor plans for the community, but I could never determine which of these was for this particular unit. Was it a one or two-bedroom? I live in a two-bedroom unit, so was this one larger or smaller than mine? I've thought about this occasionally for the past eighteen months.

When I arrived home from work last night (later than usual due to a failed attempt to purchase "Serenity" at Best Buy), my eyes fell on something strange as I approached my front door. There were keys hanging in the lock of the now empty apartment. Was there someone inside performing some last minute or maintenance task? I thought it improbable since there were few lights on and a completely empty front area, information gained thanks to a wide open window. My mind started to race with the possibilities this offered. However, I quelled all such thoughts deciding that I would wait at least half an hour. If, upon checking at that time, it appeared nothing had changed and no one had retrieved the keys, I would decide what to do.

So, I settled in to some household chores and an interesting episode of NOVA about unmanned military aircraft, or UCAVs. This topic was quite apropos given that this past week I had watched the movie "Stealth". At the appropriate time, I checked the situation.

The keys were still there. No other lights were on. I had heard no one come or go. I made my move and entered the apartment. It was nothing like I had pictured it. The kitchen and living area (visible from the window) were as expected, but I immediately learned two things. It was a 2-2 and bigger than mine. Whereas my office and bedroom are adjacent to one another, this unit had each bedroom on opposite ends. There was access to the balcony from the master bedroom, causing immediate envy. Otherwise, it was a rather unremarkable apartment. I really liked it, and might consider moving in. Two things prevent this thought's progress, however. The rent would be higher, and there's this window right by the front door, which to me is a security risk. Now I know, and I took some pictures in case I forget.

Another curiosity sated in a serendipitous turn of events.