I debated in my little pea brain whether or not I would share this story with you. Simply because it WILL sound like I am living next door to the quintessential Jerry Springer guest. However the picture from the outside is quite the contrary, the home next door is lovely. Matching his and her Cadillac Escalades in the front yard, guest house in the back with a fireplace, perfectly manicured lawn and landscaping....you get the picture.
This past April 24th, my Wedding Anniversary, Birthday and Easter ALL fell on the same day! My Mom had flown into town to celebrate with the girls and moi. As you are aware, my husband in on an aircraft carrier in the Middle East. He inquired if I would be home on Friday, because he was having something delivered to me. Now mind you, I had told him I wanted nothing. I had just returned from a week long trip to Paris with a dear friend, and had purchased a beautiful Mulberry Bayswater handbag. I didn't need, nor did I want a single thing. I was already feeling spoiled.
I pleaded with Mr. not send anything. Not to mention, I did not want to stay tied to my home to receive a delivery (because I was hosting my Mom and we were out exploring the area). He did not listen.
I return home to find a notice on the door from Edible Creations, stating that my delivery had been left with the next door neighbor. My Mom immediately went next door (cars were in the driveway) to pick up my fresh fruit. No one answered the door. Two hours later, my Mom goes back over to see if she can retrieve my gift from the Mr., still no answer at the door. At this point I had grown frustrated. I do not know my neighbors, I do not know their cleaning habits and they have something of mine, that is edible sitting in their refrigerator. This germ freak was none too pleased.
I phoned Edible Creations and said that despite the fact that my neighbors appear to be home, I have yet to obtain my delivery. I then asked why I wasn't phoned. Then, I expressed my frustration that they delivered it to a neighbor that I did not know. They said they did call. I said quite the contrary!
Another trip over the next morning (and coming up AGAIN empty handed), I had grown frustrated with the entire situation and demanded that my husband be refunded. At this point I no longer wanted the arrangement. It had sat at my neighbor's home for over 24 hours. After insisting on sending me another arrangement (and me declining), they finally obliged.
ONE more trip back over to my neighbor's home and still no answer. Now mind you, I have driven past their house while they were out front. They had seen me pull into my garage. Why had they not brought over my Edible Arrangement? Isn't that what any normal and polite neighbor would do?
Saturday evening passed, Sunday evening passed, Monday evening passed and guess what...still no delivery!
Finally, on Tuesday a younger pregnant woman knocks on my door at 9:00 pm (I later find out this is the pregnant daughter of the owner of the home) and proceeds to tell me that they received a delivery. However, when she showed up on my doorstep, she didn't have anything in her hands. She then proceeds to tell me EXACTLY what the card said from my husband. However, she didn't even show up with the card! I felt like my privacy had been invaded. Had my card been federal mail, it would have been illegal. How dare they read my Husband's transcribed feelings. I was given no explanation as to what had happened to my Edible Creation (one can only assume they ate it). Only to phone Edible Arrangements and they would re-deliver the order.
I closed the door, and didn't know what to say. My Mom's mouth was open and in shock. Who eats an Edible Arrangement that is intended for someone else. Especially when the recipient's husband is deployed on the other side of the world (they knew this because they read MY card and STILL did not immediately come to me).
The audacity and rudeness is comical. I never in my life thought there were such people in this world. I obviously thought wrong, and they just happen to live next door to me! Just goes to show, you can't judge a house by it's cover.
