"Hi Lyn, it's Nancy." (Nancy, not her real name, is my lovely next door neighbor.) Can I ask you a favor? And you can say no if you like, and I won't be upset."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Well I have these bags of cut up bread.." (I'm already wondering, what will the end ask be? Maybe she needs extra freezer space?).
"I'm going away, and ever since they added our terrace (meaning the large, ugly sidewalk shelter that is eye level with our apartments) I feed these adorable little sparrows every morning, and I was wondering if you could feed them for me.? I'll only be gone a couple of days."
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| "our terrace", erected on February 23 and still here |
"Sure. Can you leave me their food?"
"Of course, I'll drop it outside your door."
A little bit later, I open my door. Nancy has thoughtfully separated the food into two separate bags — one for each day.
I bring the food inside and then immediately start thinking about the request. Nancy is such a good person. She loves all animals; she is even helping to rescue dogs from Afghanistan. I am not so nice. I think of all the other not-so-lovely animals that may be attracted to Nancy's generosity. Pigeons. Mice. And worse.
I call Nancy back.
"I know I said yes, but..."
I feel like Elaine Benes.
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