On Sunday morning, as the rooster began to crow, Jenkins was awakened for a long time before he began to think about how there were crowing roosters near his home.
At first, he suspected that it was chocolate imitating the crowing of a chicken to wake him up. The cat has always been weird, even if it can speak human language, it is not surprising. But then I realized it was only 5:30 in the morning, and it was still early for chocolate breakfast.
Jenkins has now moved to a bedroom on the second floor, and there is not much difference between sleeping on the bed and sleeping on the floor. Early spring dawns much earlier, but there is still no morning light at 5:30. The curtains were tightly closed, and Jenkins felt that he could no longer fall asleep, so he got out of bed and opened the bedroom door to the corridor, leaving the cat in the bedroom alone.
The lights in the corridor were not turned on, and Jenkins walked down the stairs in the dark, without changing his pajamas, but walked out of the house with his coat on.
The sound of the rooster crowing came from the Goodman’s house next door. Standing under the eaves of the house and looking over there, I happened to see a vigorous red-crested rooster standing on the tall fence between the two yards.
Noticing Jenkins was watching it, the chicken actually flapped its wings and jumped off the fence, then across half the yard, onto the abandoned cat nest that Jenkins had prepared for the chocolate but never used, bypassing the previous owner The tree that had just sprouted, stepped on the lawn that had just sprouted, and walked to Jenkins step by step and looked up at him.
"..."
A few minutes later, Jenkins, in pajamas and slippers, rang the bell at the fence gate of Goodman's house. He didn't go to hug the chicken because it followed Jenkins' feet obediently.
The Goodman family was probably sleeping. Mr. Goodman opened the door sleepily after the bell rang for a long time. Because of the obstruction of the fence, he couldn't see the cock behind Jenkins' feet, so he thought that Jenkins was looking for him on something.
While saying hello, he walked out along the path in the yard, only then did he notice the creature that should not have appeared on this street.
"Oh, Tommy, what are you doing here? Sorry, Mr. Williamette, I think this little guy is giving you trouble."
As he said that, he opened the fence door and hugged the chicken familiarly. The bird, called "Tommy," was reluctant, but was picked up by Mr. Goodman.
While Jenkins doesn't approve of keeping such creatures as pets, this really is a pet chicken. Of course, Mr. Goodman's family would not keep this kind of thing. It was their relatives in the country who asked them to take care of it temporarily.
Originally, "Tommy" was kept in a cage in the kitchen, but the cage was left open after feeding last night. He escaped from the kitchen to the living room on the first floor, left some disgusting things on the sofa, and then slipped through the window of the study. Come out and wake up the next door neighbor just in time.
Mr. Goodman apologized to Jenkins for the chicken's rude behavior, and Jenkins waved his hand that it was nothing.
He turned to leave, wondering if he could get some sleep before going to the train station to meet his family back from their trip, but Mr. Goodman called him back.
"Mr. Williams, there is something I want to tell you."
Jenkins has always had a good impression of his neighbors, the Goodman family, especially the mirror image of Mr. Goodman in the mirror world. He is very weak, which represents a good psychological state and an optimistic attitude.
"Please say."
Jenkins said, eyeing the pet chickens running about in the yard. He didn't know what Chocolate would do when he saw this creature, but he probably dismissed it.
"You only moved to this street last fall, and in fact, the neighbors organize a community gathering every year, which is about the season now."
As he spoke, the middle-aged man pointed to the direction of No. 1 St. George Street.
"That's Lawyer Bell's family. They have lived in this street for more than ten years. The community gathering is also organized by their family. The content of the gathering is probably to re-sign the "Friendly Neighbor Agreement" and negotiate the community service fee for the new year. share, and meet new neighbors. You see, this street has changed a lot of people in the past year."
The "Friendly Neighbor Agreement" was drawn up by the residents of St. George's Street together, and it is not mandatory but a self-governing treaty that is mutually observed. The agreement includes items such as "not allowing large pet dogs", "not renting out the house as a party place", "tidying your own lawn on time", etc. Although no one will be fined if you don't comply, but in order not to be rejected by your community , and no one will specifically fight against the neighbors.
When Jenkins moved to this street, the former owner of the house directly handed over the agreement and the house transfer contract to him, and Jenkins also followed the requirements of Article 9 of the agreement "Regarding the new residents in the community" to live in 1 St. George Street. No. There is coming the agreement that belongs to me.
The community service fee is a fee raised due to incomplete municipal construction. It is paid once a year, and everyone hires people to clear the snow in winter and the fallen leaves in autumn. Another part is paid to Dr. Colson who lives down the street as a medical fund.
The use of this money is supervised by everyone. Because of the one-year settlement, Jenkins still uses the original payment, but at the end of each month, someone still sends him the balance of the community service fee.
"No problem. When will the community gathering be organized? I think I need to free up time. I've been really busy recently."
Jenkins asked while looking at Mr. Goodman's lawn.
"Oh, I met lawyer Belt yesterday evening, and he said that he would send us the invitation letter in about next week."
After Mr. Goodman finished speaking, he looked around mysteriously, as if suspecting that there were malicious neighbors hidden in the grass, and then whispered to Jenkins:
"Mr. Williams, I heard that you were going to be asked at the party about your share of the community service. Your house now occupies both its original place and that of poor Mrs. Margaret's, and some neighbors Think you should pay two gold quid . . . you've got to get ready."
"I understand, in fact, it makes sense."
Jenkins nodded and said he had no opinion on the matter. Because the neighbors are right, he does occupy the positions of two houses at the same time, so it is very reasonable for him to assume the public responsibility of the two houses.
Hearing Jenkins say this, Mr. Goodman immediately said that he is really a generous and good neighbor. But Mr. Goodman also hinted that if Jenkins is really unwilling to pay more, then he will definitely support Jenkins' ideas in front of neighbors in the community.