The doorbell rings

The doorbell rings. It is the new neighbors. Husband, wife, and two brats. 

They have big smiles on their faces. I maintain my famous ‘I do not know who you are’ look. He introduces himself. I do the slightest of nods. Next, the wife asks if my wife is there so that they can talk. I mentioned she was out shopping and would not return for the next two hours. There is an awkward silence in the air.

The brats are trying to slip past me through the narrow space between my legs and the door frame. I successfully block them. Finally, the husband and wife give up. They mentioned that they would come some other time. I hurriedly close the door. I hear the woman say something about a grumpy old man. Mission accomplished. Now I must convince my wife to keep them at arm’s length. It will be a difficult task to accomplish, but I refuse to give up.