Nathan Exposed » walking into the forbidden zone

There’s something that feels oddly taboo about venturing into other neighborhoods. Have you ever felt that way?

I’ve noticed when people walk throughout the neighborhood, they usually stay within an invisible line that separates them. In fact, I do it myself.

Our neighborhood is extremely cookie cutter, but it is nice. All of the homes in the subdivision fall under a specific price range. When people go walking, they tend to stay within that subdivision.

Why? We’re free to venture over into the next neighborhood. They have sidewalks too, it’s certainly legal to walk there. But we don’t.

However, at night, I have been known to walk over to the next subdivision, where the homes are a step higher in price range. I like walking at night because not a soul is stirring. But that’s as far as I’ve ever ventured… until tonight.

When I reached the end of the second subdivision, something urged me to keep going. So I did. The homes in the third subdivision are really nice. They are up to double the price of our home, and surrounded by tall, black iron gates. I love them. There’s something very prestigious and a little intimidating about them.

This was after Midnight, and there was a very calm silence all around me. It was nice. So Petey and I kept walking and walking until we reached the very end of the homes, by the highway. We then turned around and started our journey home.

It was great, like I’d broken through some unseen barrier. I know it seems odd, but it really felt a bit triumphant. I went as far as the road would take me, and that’s my story for the night.

Thu, May 24, 2007 @ 1:02 am | Filed in Life | Permalink

1 Comment

Out after dark? Hum. It’s amazing the little walls we have around us. Some imaginary, some not. Cool to dive in and realize that there are really people, homes, and lives being lived on the other block. we seem to forget.

Posted by Lewis on Thu, May 24, 2007 @ 11:31 am