Stage II: Chocolate Cream

I moved into my house that weekend. Because my parents were sending me furniture, I gave most of my apartment things away. A moving company shipped the remainder in a tiny truck. My doorbell rang as soon as the van pulled away.
I looked through the peep hole and saw two women standing on my porch. "Welcome wagon!" they called.

I warily opened the door. "Hello."
"Hello. Welcome to the neighborhood. I'm Sally Webster and this is Marion Tran."
"Thank you. I'm Dana Kerry."

"Yes, we know," said Marion. I bet they did.
Sally smiled. "We've been expecting you."
Marion extended a basket of food toward me. 'We've brought some hospitality."

"Thank you." I smiled and accepted the baskets. When I set their offerings on the hall table, I tried to remember if it was poison or razor blades that were in candy last Halloween. "Come in ladies. Can I offer you coffee?"

They started looking around as soon as they crossed the threshold. Most of the rooms didn't have furniture. "No thanks. We can't stay long," Sally said.

"Oh, I see you don't have very many things yet," Marion said.

"I remember how difficult it was to be starting out. I guess you spent all your money on the house. You're welcome to borrow some of our old things until you can afford more?"
"Yes. We also have some things in our garage that you can use."

Well wouldn't that just make the neighborhood's day? I consciously kept my pride from answering. I even managed a gracious smile. "That's very kind of you ladies, but the rest of my things should start arriving in a few days."
"Oh?" Sally frowned. "We saw the moving van and thought you were all moved in."

I gave a little laugh. "No, that was just the first wave. I have things coming from all over."
"This house belonged to Mr. Price's nephew until it got repossessed," Marion said. Both looked at me expectantly.

I shook my head. "I don't know who they are."
"He's the president of the neighborhood homeowners' association." Sally followed her statement with a nod.

"He lives at 2345. That's across the street and two doors to the left," Marion said.
"Yeah, so he'll be watching how you keep the place."

"I'll be watching too," I said. I'd meant my response to be cynical, but it seemed to satisfy them. They must have thought I'd spend a fortune on a house and let it fall apart.
"Yes. Good. Well. We just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood. If there's anything you need, just let us know."

"Thank you, ladies. That's very kind of you both."

They turned and walked back to the front door. I opened it and gave them a little wave. "Good-bye, ladies."

"Good-bye," they called.

Two days later, two houses on the block went up for sale. I told myself it was a coincidence. But in my heart, I knew better...

Introduction
Stage I: Fledglings
Stage II: Chocolate Cream
Stage III: Rage & Destroy
Stage IV: Wanna Be Blacks
Stage V: Empowered
Stage VI: Passing