The traffic was heavy, as usual, on Livvy’s way home from work. She was frustrated because the day had not gone as she planned. She had back-to-back meeting which resulted in her almost missing her deadline for the project she was assigned. As she was running down the hall to her boss’s office, the heal of her brand-new pumps fell off, catapulting her forward into the arms of Jim, her counterpart on the project. She and Jim did not always see eye to eye. Frankly, she thought he was a pompous horses-tooty and sexist to go along with it.  Jim made some joke about women always throwing themselves at him, before genuinely expressing concern and asking if he could help her back to her office. Fortunately, she always kept a spare pair of dress shoes just in case. She thanked him for his offer, hobbled back to her office to don her alternate shoes, and continued on to turn the project in.  She made it in time and decided to head out.

As she was leaving, it began to rain. “Great, just what I need”, she said aloud to herself. This will most likely mean traffic accidents and slowdowns. She really wanted to get home to Webster to let him out. Kailey, her next-door neighbor and good friend, lets Webster out at lunchtime to have a quick walk and potty break. Today, Kailey was out of town so her 12-pound Havanese was alone all day. Livvy knew Webster wouldn’t have an accident in the house, but she felt terrible when he was alone for so long. She had such a heart for animals, especially dogs. Webster was part of a litter that was left on the side of the road and discovered by a worker at the local humane society where she volunteered.  Livvy fell in love with the whole litter, but one little guy in particular made her laugh. Every time the litter went outside for potty training and socialization, the little tri-color puppy ran off into the bushes and would come out covered in spider webs from the grass spiders. It was a common sight to see grass-spider webs in the Spring in Pennsylvania.  After the pup had his face covered in webs, he would run over to Livvy and look up at her as if to plea for help. She couldn’t resist him and decided to put her name in for his adoption. Once she was approved, there was no better name than Webster.  Thinking of him eased the irritation of the day. She couldn’t wait to get home to see him.

As she pulled into her driveway, she saw someone walking across the street.  It was that strange older lady who lived caddy corner to her. Livvy had lived in the neighborhood 4 years and had never met the strange recluse. She would catch glimpses of her neighbor rushing to get mail, but usually in the evening. She saw delivery truck for groceries come by and often saw boxes on her porch from the well-known online dog store. She had always thought it odd that she never saw her neighbor out with the dog. Livvy immediately jumped to conclusions that her neighbor was crazy and never let her dog out. Probably one of those people that just keeps the dog inside all the time with no socialization.

Livvy started to walk up to her house when she realized the neighbor was walking her way.  As she saw Livvy, she started to turn back to her house, but then she looked down at her large envelope, up at Livvy and back down. For some reason Livvy could tell this woman was in a struggle with what to do.  “Hi, there. Do you need something?” Livvy called out.  The woman hesitated for a moment and walked forward with the envelope outstretched.  Livvy could see that it was marked Urgent-Overnight and knew immediately what it was.   “Oh, that must be my documents, delivered to you by mistake”.  The woman nodded and walked forward with her head down.  Livvy walked towards the woman with her hand outstretched and introduced herself. The woman looked up and smiled ever so slightly. It was almost imperceptible. When the woman looked at Livvy, she barely held eye contact for a second but in that time, Livvy could see that she was afraid. Her face bore several scars along the left side, reaching from forehead to chin. The right side of her face told Livvy that she had once been considered beautiful. Though she had a few wrinkles and no make-up, Livvy could tell she was quite a sight when she was younger. Livvy didn’t let her eyes stay on the left side of the woman’s face for fear she would be disrespectful.  “What is your name?” Livvy asked. The woman replied that her name was Ronnie, short for Veronica.  Livvy thanked her for coming over to deliver the package and for some reason felt the need to explain what it was.  “These are the Power of Attorney documents for my parents. My Dad is very ill, and my mom wants to ensure that I have ability to direct their healthcare if her health fails suddenly”. The woman looked up with compassion in her eyes, smiled a bit more, and nodded her head as if to say “Okay, I’m going now” and she turned to walk away.  Livvy called out to her “I really do appreciate it, and I would be happy to run over if you ever need anything”.  Ronnie smiled and said, “I appreciate your kindness” and then she darted into her house while looking around the neighborhood as if to make sure no one else was around.

Livvy entered her house, gave Webster the wholehearted welcome he enjoyed, changed her clothes, and headed out with Webster for a long evening walk before dinner.  She couldn’t stop thinking about Ronnie. Why was this the first time she had ever seen her face to face? What could have happened to her to cause the scars. Was that the reason she was so secluded and reclusive? She looked to be in her mid-to-late 60’s and Livvy wondered if she had any family at all. 

The next morning, as Livvy drove past Ronnie’s house on her way to work, she noticed a light glowing inside. She wondered what Ronnie’s routine was and it stuck with her throughout the day. Why was she so curious about Ronnie’s routine? It felt as if something beneath the surface was urging her to reach out, to understand more about this neighbor who had suddenly become a presence in her life. Maybe the package delivery wasn’t just a coincidence, maybe it was a gentle nudge from the God, inviting her to connect.

Livvy found herself wondering about Ronnie’s story. Had Ronnie ever been married? Did she have children? Livvy realized these questions didn’t truly matter to her. She had just celebrated her 45th birthday and felt no pressure to marry. Over the years, she’d dated but always sensed she was meant to be single. Her life was rich in its own way: a wide circle of social friends, a handful of close confidants, church activities, volunteering at the shelter, and time spent with Webster. She felt content, even fulfilled.

Still, Livvy sometimes questioned how others perceived her choices. In social situations, when people asked if she was married or had children, she noticed their discomfort when she replied that she was single—and happy about it. Why did her contentment unsettle them? Was it so unusual to be at peace with solitude, to find meaning outside the boundaries of traditional expectations? She decided that this coming weekend she was going to walk the short path, yet great chasm from her house to Ronnie’s. She prayed that it would not be awkward. 

Livvy awoke at 6 a.m. on Saturday to the gentle nudging of Webster. He was always excited for his morning walk and the breakfast that followed. He seemed to have a sense of when it was Saturday and today his tail was wagging a bit more frantically.  He knew they would walk to the local shopping area, she would get a coffee, and he would get a pup-cup. This was their Saturday routine.  “Come on boy, let’s conquer the day”.

When Livvy and Webster returned from their walk, their path took them past Ronnie’s house. Livvy looked at the house, she saw the curtain partially open and saw a silhouette. She smiled and waved. To her surprise she saw a wave back before closing the curtain. Livvy didn’t know why this made her so joyful, but it solidified her determination to go over to Ronnie’s house.

As Livvy walked across the street with freshly baked blueberry muffins, her stomach was in tatters. What if Ronnie didn’t answer the door, what if she answered and told Livvy to go away? As her finger pressed the doorbell, she started to second guess herself. She started to put the muffins on the stand next to the door when the door opened. Ronnie had a bundle of fur in her hands that resembled Webster, only it wasn’t tricolor.  Livvy couldn’t help but smile and ask if she could pet the dog.  Ronnie obliged and told Livvy the dog’s name was Shirley. She was a 10-year-old Havanese mix that Ronnie rescued.  Livvy decided to be very bold and ask if she could go inside and set the blueberry muffins down.

Two hours had passed and the ladies were talking over muffins and coffee. Ronnie had told Livvy to grab Webster and let the dogs meet. It was a splendid meeting and as the dogs played, the women got to know each other. Ronnie told Livvy that she had been a flight attendant for many years and had never married. She was a victim of a stalker; one of her passengers that traveled frequently and had become obsessed with her. He caught up with her over 20 years ago and attacked her in her home. He had watched her for months and learned her routine. He had asked her on dates several times and became indignant when she refused. He decided that if he couldn’t have her, then nobody would. Fortunately, for Ronnie, she had taken self-defense classes and was able to fight him off, but not before he cut deep scars into her face, chest, abdomen, and arms. She got tired of people staring at her, so she just stopped going out.  She took Shirley out before it was light, and when it was dark after most people went to bed.  She had lived in fear for so long because her stalker had told her that he would find her. He had been convicted and received a minor jail sentence. She saw the evil in his eyes and didn’t want to encounter him again.  She moved, abandoning many of her acquaintances, not wanting to take a chance of him finding her.  Lately, she had been feeling lonely and tired of hiding. When the package came, she felt like she had to walk the intimidating path across the street to deliver the package.  She admitted that she had seen Livvy and Webster walking and was envious of their joyful disregard of anyone watching them. They had a spring in their step that Ronnie coveted. Ronnie longed for someone to talk “dogs” with and especially with someone that wouldn’t judge her for being single.  She had watched Livvy’s house; she saw that there was not an apparent spouse or significant other and felt that they had something in common. “Please don’t think I am odd for watching your place” Ronnie pleaded. “I have lived vicariously through the lens of neighbors for quite some time now. Adopting Shirley was the last time I went out in public. The stares of curiosity were more than I could bear but I am tired of solitude and ready to get back to living”. 

That conversation took place over 5 months ago, and Ronnie and Livvy have become quite good friends.  Livvy introduced Ronnie to Kailey and the three have made a deep connection. It has been tough for Ronnie, but she has been building trust and confidence.  She and Livvy attend church together and volunteer at the Humane Society, helping the animals in need while their dogs spend time with each other.

Looking back at that fateful day, Livvy can’t imagine what would have happened if she had ignored Ronnie as she crossed the street.  Ronnie might have dropped the envelope at her door, feeling defeated for not having made contact.  The two might never have connected and made such a deep friendship.  Life is so full of potential if we are aware of our surroundings.  Livvy vowed to be present with whomever was in her company, to notice the beauty that surrounds her, and to see people; really see them.  She cherished her new friend and marvels at how much they have in common, even though their age difference is over twenty years.  She smiled thinking about the trio of Kailey, Ronnie, and herself. Kailey is 38, Ronnie is 67, and she will be 46 in less than a month. The three are going to celebrate her Birthday and call it “the decades trio”.