An Unexpected Guest
In the early days of mobile phones, my wife and I had just tied the knot and moved into a new house in Surrey. The flats were stunning; their layouts were simply marvellous. We loved everything about the place, except for the neighbours on our landing, who turned out to be rather disagreeable sorts. Even though I was young, I held a serious position at work and was used to being treated with respect. My wife often teased, calling me by my full name as if addressing a headmaster.
One morning, as I was leaving for work, I crossed paths with our brand-new neighbour. Not a word of Good morning or even a nod from her! I decided right then and there to give her the same treatment. I stiffened up and refused to greet her back. My pride got the better of me.
A week later, we decided to throw a housewarming partyinviting friends and relatives to celebrate this joyous moment. The festivities carried on a bit later than they probably should have. Around half-past eleven, our neighbour came knocking on our door. I opened it, and he sternly told me it was too late to be making such a ruckus. HIM, telling ME! Really! And on a Saturday, no less, and it was barely midnight. He even blamed it on his wife: “Shes got a headache and wants to sleep! Fancy that!
From then on, I acted as if they didnt exist, even if we ran into each other in the shared hallway. It was only my wife who continued to greet them; I absolutely would not! Let them learn how to behave around respectable people! I was stubborn and aloof.
For a while, we hardly saw them at all. Then one snowy evening, as we came home, we found a young woman waiting by the inner door in the corridor. She brightened up when she spotted us. Im your neighbours sister, Ive travelled a long way and have now been waiting for them for over three hours. Do you mind if I stay inside the lobby for a bit? Its absolutely freezing in the stairwell! And outside, the snowstorm was fierce, snapping the branches off the trees. We let her in. With my best authoritative tone, I asked, Youre not from around here? Wheres your luggage? She explained shed left it at left-luggage in the station, hoping her brother-in-law would help her fetch it next morning. It was too much on my own in this weather.
Back in our flat, I muttered to my wife, If they cant meet their own family in this kind of weather, perhaps shes not even a real relative. What if shes trying to con us, and weve just let her in? I was suspicious and unbending.
We were about to have supper when I couldnt shake off the thought of this stranger shivering outside our door. I peeped through the spyhole; she stood there, pressed against the cold wall. My wife called me to the table, but I couldnt eat a bite. All I could think about was the guest outside. My wife suggested asking her in for supper, but I protested, Why on earth should I let a complete stranger into our home! In the end, though, I brought a chair out for her in the corridor. I asked, perhaps a bit too sharply, Why didnt your sister come to meet you? She replied simply, I wanted to surprise her. Shes due to give birth any day and the pregnancys been difficult. I came to helpperhaps look after the baby for a while. I listened, but wasnt convinced. Was our neighbour pregnant? I hadnt noticed!
Every five minutes Id check on her through the door. She sat quietly, waiting. My wife drifted off to sleep right away, but I simply couldnt. Every time I closed my eyes, her image haunted me. To get here in these conditions, how much effort must it have taken her? She must have been absolutely exhausted.
Just before midnight, I leapt out of bed, put on my dressing gown and strode, rather grumpily, into the corridor. Right, thats enough! Come inside, youll spend the night with us. She looked both surprised and grateful, insisting she didnt want to put us out, but I wouldnt hear of it. I gave her a dressing gown, towel, and directed her to the bathroom. When shed had a shower, I insisted she eat something, then made up the guest room for her and wished her good night. For once, I behaved kindly and thoughtfully.
I wrote a quick note to my neighbours: Your sister is safe with us. Please dont wake her before 6:00am.
At around 8 the next morning, the bell rang. Our neighbour stood there, beaming. His wife had given birth during the night to a healthy baby boy. You see, Im a father! We have a son! The happiness almost spilled onto me; I felt as if their joy belonged to me, too. It was a peculiar but wonderful sensationsomething great and bright seemed to have happened.
Soon both mother and baby were home, and my neighbour was full of gratitude for taking in her younger sister that night.
Its funny how we can be so convinced we understand ourselves and othersjudging, quarrelling, grumbling, making mountains out of molehills. Then comes a moment when all our anger melts away, and we suddenly see that to really live, our hearts must remain open. It took a strangers visit for me to learn this lesson.
