F is for Fran

Growing up, our next door neighbor was Ms. Frances L.  I always called her Ms. Frances.  She was my mom’s best friend.

My mom told me of a time where I was going to run away.  I packed my bag and I was heading out the door.  Of course, I wasn’t going to go far.  I was just heading next door to Ms. Frances house. 

My dad used to love playing pranks on her.  I remember one time when she was having a pool built in her back yard.  She was over hanging out by our pool with me and my mom.  The pool builders told her that her phone was ringing in the house.  She said to not worry about it because whoever it is can just call back later (this was way before answering machines).  The phone just kept ringing and ringing.  The guys kept telling her that the phone wasn’t stopping.  That is must be important for that person to just sit there and let it continuously ring.  So she climbed the fence to get to her house.  It was much quicker then going through our house to get around to her house.  When she picks up the phone all she hears is my dad laughing hysterically on the phone.

She was a good sport to put up with my dads shenanigans.  I miss her a lot.  I lost contact with her after my mom passed away.  It was just too difficult for me to talk to her.  It reminded me too much of my mom.  Now I wish that I had kept in contact.  I had tried sending a letter to her a few months back.  However, I never got a response and the letter wasn’t returned.  So I am not sure what to think.

Who was your favorite neighbor?