Scene: a late summer evening in a local Dallas neighborhood
Players: an older couple, their son, his friend, a pet corgi
Situation: all players leaving the house at the same time
My husband and I attended church services at 5:30 on a Saturday evening and returned home to enjoy a cocktail, yummy Chicken Tamale Pie and lively conversation with my son and his high school classmate. They were headed to the movie theater after dinner and hubs and I took the dog for a walk. As we stood on the front drive:
Son: Hey, we’re going to take off now…should I lock the door?
Husband: Yep. We’ve got a key. See you later!
After a ten minute stroll up the next street, we wandered back up to the front door. It was dark, I didn’t have my phone and as I struggled to fit the key in the lock, I began to question if I might be a bit sauced.
Husband: What’s wrong?
Me: I can’t get the key into the lock??
At which time, I looked a little closer at the key ring and discovered that though almost exactly like our house keyfob, we had in fact grabbed our son’s apartment mailbox key from the front entry table.
Me: Hahahahahhah! Wrong key! We’ll have to go around through the garage.
So we traipsed around to the end of the block, up the alley to our garage door where we have a keypad for such emergencies. After several failed attempts to input the code and raise the door (really thinking I might be a little drunk here), I was struck with the realization that
Me: Oh. My. God. The battery is dead in the keypad!!
Husband: You’re kidding me.
And it was indeed dead as a doornail. Upon investigation, we discovered that the box required a 9-volt battery. And as luck would have it, we heard voices coming from our neighbors’ backyard next door.
Again, up the alley a ways to their gate which stood wide open. They had just collected on the patio with a table laden with nibbles, a bar cart boasting of wine and many spirits.
Neighbor: Oh good! I’m so glad you could make it!!
Husband: Er, we’re locked out of our house!
Neighbor: Did you get my voicemail? We wanted you to come for a drink!
After we explained our dilemma, our neighbors searched their home for the appropriate battery and finding none, invited us to sit and share a drink, puppy and all. We accepted and even enjoyed their homemade hummus, marinated feta cheese and crackers. Another friend came by and it was a pleasure to meet her as well. We shared a lively conversation about children, how the pandemic has impacted each of us as small business owners and other pleasantries on that beautiful late summer evening.
What a lovely happenstance: annoying inconvenience turned into a soul-soothing interaction with wonderful, welcoming people. Given the choice to follow our normal routine, we might have ignored the invitation and stayed at home. Pushed out of the house, we were blessed with the opportunity to socialize with new individuals and further cement neighborhood connections.
Oh, and how did we get back into the house (I was definitely tipsy two hours later) you may be wondering? Unknown to me at the time, husband vaulted over the 8 foot fence and found the side door unlocked, deposited the dog before walking back over to join us for a drink. Gotta love my resourceful man! 😘