The new neighbor seemed in quite the rush. From the day she moved in her house was a flurry of activity. It seemed she had every desire to get the old Hoffmeister place up to her standards as soon as she could and it seemed each day brought something new.

The movers the first day were just the start. The very next day there were painters, an interior decorator, all sorts of plumbers, electricians, roofers, carpenters, even a landscaper despite the fact she was on only a half acre of property.

The neighbors noticed the intense activity and by the fifth day of it one walked over to the place only to see her come outside and walk quickly down her driveway to look at the old mailbox.

"Uh, hi, I'm Daphne, one of your neighbors." The friendly, middle-aged woman started with.

"Oh, uh hi, I'm Trisha. How are you?"

As she talked, she never broke her stride. She got to the mailbox with Daphne trotting along after.

"Uh, good." Daphne said, a bit surprise. The woman didn't seem rude, but her focus was oddly strong.

"That's good, Daphne. I am sorry, I do realize how this must look, I just have a lot to do to get this house in a good place."

"Are you flipping it?" She asked.

"No, I plan on living here. I do love the house, but a lot of work needs to go into it. There was a lot that was meant to be done with the place that never was. It takes up most of my time as you probably already know from all the people about."

"Okay, well, I'll let you to it, then." Daphne said.

"I really am sorry I can't socialize a bit more. When I do have this place in a presentable shape, maybe I can have some people over. Would that be agreeable?"

"Uh, yes!" Daphne said, a bit surprised.

"Good, I'll see you around and hopefully that will be soon. Anyway, take care."

As Daphne said as good-bye and walked away, Gordon looked the mailbox up and down. What the hell was he thinking when he installed this? He probably wasn't, he thought with a smile. So much of this place was a ramshackle collection of ideas. Well, now he can correct all of his previous mistakes.

A pity on Daphne, though. He did mean it when he said he wanted to have something. It would be nice to see them all again. After all, while they might not know it, he wasn't exactly new to the neighborhood.