Juniper smiled softly to herself as she retold the story for what felt like the hundredth time. “And she has the same ringtone as you, John! Isn’t that funny?”

John returned her smile, nodding. “Yes, I find that extremely amusing. Thank you for sharing that information with me… again.”

“Sorry.” She replied almost guiltily. “I guess I’m just a little over-excited. She’s amazing, John. She really is.”

Juniper had spent the entire afternoon gushing to her friend about how wonderful her weekend with Jane had been.

“Please do not apologize. Your enthusiasm is quite endearing.” His smile widened. “And I enjoy learning your thoughts about Jane. What is it that you feel makes her so amazing? What sort of improvements could be made to increase your enjoyment of her company?”

“Oh, I dunno.” The girl shrugged. “Jane’s just so kind and smart and beautiful… She’s so fun to talk to. And she –” Juniper raised an eyebrow, laughing softly. “John, are you actually writing this down?!”

John hastily shoved his notepad between the couch cushions. “No.” He lied. “I do not know what you are talking about.”

“You’re so weird John… But I like it.” Juniper smiled warmly at him. “That’s another thing you and Jane have in common, I guess! I really can’t wait for you to finally meet her. I’m sorry you couldn’t come see her this weekend.” Her face fell slightly as she spoke.

“I am sorry too.” He replied. “But I was very busy aiding Mr. Grimm in his preparations of our new tenant’s home. Luckily I was able to complete the necessary arrangements before his arrival this morning.”

Juniper’s face lit up at his words. She had nearly forgotten they would have a new neighbor joining them. And only a few weeks after Jane… Mr. Grimm sure is a popular landlord!

“We should stop by and say hello!” She said at last.

John appeared a bit uncertain. “Would an unsolicited visit not be considered rude by most humans?”

“Nah, we’re his neighbors! We’re just trying to be friendly!” She replied happily. “Ooh, I’ll call Jane! Maybe she’ll want to come too.”

Amid a few awkwardly mumbled protests from John, Juniper pulled out her phone and dialed.

“Oh! John, someone’s calling you!” Juniper smiled as she waited for Jane to pick up.

Her friend rose to his feet quickly. “Um… Yes. Excuse me.” John headed out the door to take his call.

“Hello?”

Juniper’s brow furrowed in confusion. “John?”

“NO! No…Um…”

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line.

“It’s me, Jane.”

“Oh! That was weird.” Juniper giggled. “For a second, I could have sworn…”

“What can I help you with, Juniper? It is always a pleasure to hear your beautiful voice.” Jane assured her. “But I fear I am very busy today.”

“Oh… You are?”

“Yes. Forgive me, but I am unavailable to accompany you on an unsolicited visit to our new neighbor at this time.”

“Visit?” How did she know that?! “But I never said anything about…”

“I hope to see you very soon, Juniper. Goodbye.”

“Bye, Jane.” Juniper replied a moment too late.

As though on cue, she heard the opening of the door beside her.

“Hey, John.” She said, putting her phone back into her pocket. “Looks like Jane can’t make it.”

John hastily returned to his seat on the couch. “That is most unfortunate.”

“It’s okay.” Juniper smiled at him. “Maybe next time.”

“That is quite doubtful.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.”

————————————————————-

“I find this to be a very unusual custom…” John said softly as they headed up their neighbor’s steep porch steps. “Is it not unwise to accept edible gifts from strangers?”

Juniper giggled. “Everybody does it, John. You always bring food to welcome a new neighbor! But maybe they do things a little differently in Texas…”

She glanced down for a moment at the fruitcake she held in her hands. If she’d been more skilled in the kitchen, she would have made something herself. Good thing I still had this fruitcake in the back of the fridge! Juniper hoped it would be okay. It was only from two Christmases ago…

When they reached the top of their neighbor’s steps, Juniper placed the plate of fruitcake on the railing by the door while John lifted his fist and knocked. They waited a bit awkwardly for a few moments, and Juniper began to wonder whether he should knock again. But then, a soft metal clanging reached their ears from the other side. It seemed to grow louder and louder until the door finally creaked open.

The man who opened it stared blankly at them, saying nothing.

“Hi!” Juniper smiled sweetly at the man. “Welcome to the neighborhood! I’m Juniper Joy, and this is John.”

“Hello.” The man replied at last.

“Greetings.” John gave their new neighbor a smile as well. “What is your name?”

“Cole.”

There was an uncomfortable silence that seemed to drag on for a very long time.

Juniper smiled again, breaking the silence. “So… Can we come in, maybe?”

“No.” Cole’s reply was accompanied by a soft, rhythmic beeping.

She looked around for a few moments, searching for the source of the sound. “Is that your phone?” Juniper asked.

“No.”

She peered curiously at the man’s trench coat. “Is… Is that a wire?” She pointed to a spot near his armpit.

“Yes.” The beeping continued.

“Would you like this fruitcake we brought you?” Juniper smiled.

“No.” Cole’s expression remained unchanged. “Goodbye.”

The unusual metal clanging returned with each step as he turned and headed back inside. After a few moments, the beeping and clanging had finally disappeared.

Juniper turned to John, shrugging slightly as they reached the bottom of the stairs. “He seems nice!” She said brightly. “Maybe kinda shy though. And… a little weird.” She admitted.

Her friend nodded in agreement. “I detected an unusually high number of metallic and electrical components on his person… Further research may be necessary to determine his true biological state.”

She just shook her head. There he goes again, talking in riddles… She’d gotten used to it in the time she’d known him, but it still caught her off-guard sometimes. People from Texas are kinda weird, I guess. Juniper thought to herself. That must be where Jane’s from too… I’ll have to ask her.

“I apologize for leaving so soon.” John’s voice called her back to the present as they continued down the sidewalk. “But I must return home to attend to some of my subjects. I fear I have been neglecting my research in recent weeks. However, I look forward to seeing you this evening.” He added with a smile.

“Tonight?” Juniper asked. She didn’t remember making any plans with him. “Jane’s supposed to be coming over tonight.” Her eyes lit up. “You wanna come? You know you’re always welcome.”

“Um… No. No… I… I am afraid I am busy this evening. I misspoke. I meant I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” He explained.

“But Jane and I are going to the movies tomorrow…”

John swallowed nervously. “…Goodbye, Juniper.”

Juniper laughed softly to herself as she watched him hurriedly make his way back down the street. He’s so funny…