In this, the Reader is clearly hiding something from the neighbors. It's like you want to say something, but can't. And nobody can get it out of you.
aka: The Reader has seasonal depression and it's not going great.
If you like my work, please consider commissioning me or leaving a tip on Ko-fi (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
Something isn't right
★ Something's been different with you lately. You haven't been acting like yourself for a few days now. There’s a chill in the air. Frost had started to coat the grass at night. And with it came the promise of melancholy.
★ Wally was the first to notice something amiss. You like walking to Barnaby's home with him. You also like spending the day together. But neither of those things have brought back the light in your eyes. He doesn’t understand.
★ It's not like there's much worth worrying about. Home is a very safe place. Nothing ever really goes wrong. Shure, Julie will be hibernating soon. But that's not sad. Just quiet.
★ What catches Eddie’s attention is the mail. It hasn’t been collected from your box. In fact, you've been forgetting it lately. He's convinced you must've forgotten. Not knowing you just didn't have the energy.
★ You’ve been staying inside more these days. Which is fine! Everyone needs rest. But not changing out of pajamas? That’s... a little worrying. Especially when there's a mess of clean laundry dumped on the chair in your room. Left unfolded.
★ Eddie mentioned it to Poppy. Who, being the kind soul she is, assumed you might not have clothes warm enough for the season. So she knitted you a few oversized sweaters. The next time she saw you, you were wearing one.
★ In Home, death, and what was once dead, rarely gets discussed. Most of the residents prefer not to think about it. Poppy, Eddie. They change the subject when it comes up. You've learned to avoid the subject in their company.
★ If that's something bothering you? Well, good luck. There aren’t many people you can talk to about it. Maybe a flower or two. But you can't understand them like Julie can. Which makes the idea a bad one.
★ While you're busy doing nothing in particular, Howdy makes a point to call you. He asks how you’re doing with groceries. Do not tell him you haven't been eating. He will turn up on your steps holding a bowl of salad.
★ Sally already thinks you're lazy. What with the whole "lack of concern for you're calling" as she calls it. (You've passed up several roles in her plays.) But this feels something else. And she won't shy away from telling you what she thinks.
★ It's probably because she only has two modes. Busy or inactive. And she's only idle when asleep. In her eyes, you have no excuse. "Are you kidding me!? Get up! It's the middle of the day!" Somehow, her words got you to get up and clean your room.
★ If you ever feel the need to explain things to Frank, keep it factual. Don't go into how it feels. Just what it is and how it affects you. That’s how he learns. Let him draw his own conclusions.
★ He might be a little awkward. Or ask things a tad too bluntly. Whatever you choose to say, they end the conversation with "If it gets worse, please let me know." Spoken in a tone that's unusually shaken. Like he's not sure what to do.
