The Neighbors

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Toshiki and the family looked up.

“Who is that?” Poppa asked. Yumi got up and went to the door. She looked out the peephole.

“Who is it?” the girl asked. A man and a woman stood outside. He looked up and waved. Yumi blinked as she opened the door.

“Ito-san?” she asked. The couple perked up.

“Happy New Year!” they said. Her parents and Toshiki came to the door.

“Naoki? Jenna?” Momma asked. “What are you doing here?” Jenna giggled.

“We stopped by for a visit!” she said. “Can we come in?”

“Huh?” Yumi asked. The parents looked at each other. Toshiki said nothing.

--------

Moments later, everyone sat at the table. Toshiki looked confused. What just happened? Naoki and Jenna sat across from him and Yumi. The couple was still grinning.

“What are they doing?” Toshiki asked. The girl waved him off.

“So,” Momma said. “How are you doing?”

“Great!” Jenna said. “And you?”

“Fine,” Momma said. Yumi frowned. Why were they here? Naoki looked Toshiki up and down.

“And who might you be?” he asked.

“Uh…” the veteran said. Yumi grabbed him by the arm.

“He’s my boyfriend!” she said. Toshiki’s right eye twitched.

“Ooo!” Jenna said, covering her mouth. The veteran nervously laughed. Please stop saying that. It’s creepy.

“How was your New Year’s?” Papa asked.

“Great!” Naoki said. “We went to a party!”  Jenna cuddled up next to him. She giggled aloud. Yumi’s right eye twitched. Toshiki nudged her on the arm. Yumi whipped her head around.

“What’s wrong?” Toshiki mouthed. She rolled her eyes. The couple sat grinning at the family. Yumi was going to her to readjust her plans. She was going to have her date with Toshiki. But first, she was going to have to get her neighbors out of her house. Her parents weren’t taking the hint.

“Would you like some stew?” Momma asked. Yumi’s right eye twitched.

“Sure!” Jenna said in a chipper tone. Naoki smiled and nodded.

“Hang on,” Momma said. She got up and walked over to the stove. Yumi took in deeper breaths. Toshiki became nervous. Something had to give.  Momma came back with two full bowls.

“Here you go. Eat up,” she said. The couple took the bowls and ate up. Yumi stood up and walked out of the dining room.

“Yumi?” Poppa asked. The girl waved him off. She was done with this. Maybe they will go away soon. She could only dream.