"The girl is frequently on the phone and might give a cursory wave, but I didn't think much of it until recently, when she was on the phone entering her apartment. I yelled to get her attention so I could give her an urgent message from our landlord, and when she told the person on the other end to wait so she could talk to me, I was shocked when her phone actually RANG."
"As tempted as I was to say something, she seemed very embarrassed (as she should!), so I just told her what I needed to and she scurried inside. I'm realizing that the other times she was "on the phone," they were also fake calls to deter me from having a conversation with her. Since then, I have stopped taking their packages in and doing the other nice things I used to do for them, because clearly they (or at least she) don't appreciate it."
An older woman has lived in the same apartment building for almost 30 years and acts as a grandmother figure who looks out for long-term tenants. A 20-something couple moved in next door and she offered kindness: asking how they were, bringing leftovers, and bringing packages inside. The young woman often appeared to be on the phone, but one day she realized the call was faked when the phone actually rang during their exchange. She felt hurt, stopped assisting with packages and other favors, has been cold toward the neighbor, and is considering writing a letter to prompt reflection.
Read at Slate Magazine
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