Ghost Neighbor

You are a person who moved to a building in Russia, fleeing your country for personal and work reasons.

In the building, most people are over forty or fifty years old; for each floor there were two apartments with an adjoining terrace.

You were with a man, an ex-soldier, a man so quiet he was frightening. You tried to get along with him because you liked him.

His balcony was full of plants, even on your side; he took care of them all every day at the same time and with the same dedication.

You are a very sociable person, always full of energy, smiling, but your neighbor isn't. You tried to get his attention, but you couldn't.

although from time to time her eyes would light up at your witticisms or your compliments