Black loafers appeared before black slacks and suit jackets followed. With his hand on his hip, a young, anxious security guard approached the cart. The tilt of my father’s head revealed his thoughts, although he didn’t release them.
“Look at ‘em. This is the quietest I’ve ever seen his ass,” I whispered to Nadia.
“That won’t last long. We both know he’s analyzing everything. The moment he has collected all the data he needs, he will strike.”
“Can I help you?”
“Yes,” my mother spoke up, clearing her throat. “We’re here to welcome our new neighbor. We live just down the road. Technically, next door. We’d like to introduce ourselves. This is my daughter, Nadia. My son, Saint. And, my husband, Elio.”
My father nodded, still silent and observant.
“And that–” he tipped his head toward the basket in my hand.
“A gift,” I informed him, pushing it forward because I knew his curiosity would lead him to the wicker. His job would require a full inspection of the items inside.
He rounded the cart as another security guard of a similar stature appeared from behind the gate.
“Everything all good out here?” He asked, nearing the front of the cart.
“It should be,” I responded before his partner had the opportunity.
The one inspecting the contents of the gift basket paused to look up at me. Through squinted eyes, he gazed.
“No home court advantage over here, homie,” he warned. “Everybody gets the same treatment.”
“Which I’d assume. Otherwise, what’s the point of your occupation, right?”
With a nod, he agreed.
“Yeah, everything good.”
“So–” my mother cleared her throat, “We’re good to go inside?”
“One second,” the one closest to us demanded.
He turned slightly, pressing the button on the headset that was concealed rather well.
“Balle–” he said and then paused.
“Balle.”
After a few seconds, he continued.
“Neighbors from next door want to say hello. Are you accepting visitors at the moment?”
There was another pause.
“No guests inside. Those are the ru– I understa– Yes.”
Sighing, he waited for the person he was speaking to, to finish.
“Got it.”
His hands fell by his side as he took another good look at the cart.
“You’re welcome to step inside of the gate, but this stays out here.”
Wordlessly, I stepped off the cart. The dynamic shifted instantly. I towered over both men, yet their energy remained the same. I respected it. Respected them. As a man in the spotlight, I understood how important and how dangerous their jobs were. Each day they put their lives on the line for the sake of saving someone else’s.
