Neighborhood Watch by Andrew Neiderman Page A

I must say, I have a talent for reading people accurately.
    Like you, Teddy, I am intrigued with eyes,” he explained. “I gaze into the eyes of
    someone and I sense their true personalities. Looking into Kristin’s, I see only
    compassion and kindness,” he said fixing his gaze on her.
    To Kristin it was like he had put his hand under her blouse and cupped her breast. She felt a sudden tingle, an instant of electricity flow through her veins and arteries and clamp itself around her heart to make it skip a beat. It was as if the tips of his fingers freely explored the very essence of her inner being. She felt her face fill with warmth, a warmth that traveled down her neck and over her bosom. The nearly five-month-old fetus within her womb stirred as if it, too, had been nudged in its most secret places.
    “I’m sure you’ll be one of our best residents, Kristin.” Philip Slater said. “Well, I’d better get home and see how Marilyn’s doing. Thank you for a most delicious and unexpected treat. These days, I’m very rarely surprised by anyone,” he added and stood up.
    Teddy and Kristin rose.
    “Once again, welcome,” he said offering Kristin his hand.
    “Thank you,” she said. Teddy accompanied Philip Slater to the door where he bid him good night. After Philip Slater left, Teddy hurried down the steps and back to the dining room. Kristin was clearing the table, looking like she was in deep thought.
    “Well?” Teddy said.
    “Very sneaky, Theodore Morris. But it was a very thoughtful gift. It was nice of him.”
    “Great guy.”
    She turned slowly. “Sad about their only child.”
    “I know.”
    “He never mentioned anything about it, but I kept feeling as if I should say something.”
    “I suppose it’s not easy for him to talk about it,” Teddy said and turned to see Jennifer inching her way up the corridor toward them.
    “Hey, Peanut. What’s the matter? Why were you so frightened of the nice man?”
    Kristin turned to look at her.
    “Jen?”
    “I don’t like him,” she moaned.
    “Oh, Jen, why?” Kristin said moving toward her. Teddy stepped up behind.
    “He’s just a nice neighbor, honey,” he said. She shook her head and continued to cringe.
    “He’s got eyes that move,” she complained.
    “Move? Everyone’s eyes move, honey,” Teddy explained. “We’ve got little muscles
    behind them and—”
    “His move out of his head,” she explained.
    “Out of his head? Jennifer, what are you saying?” Kristin asked. Jennifer shook her head.
    “They moved toward me.”
    “Oh, Jen.” Kristin embraced her and looked at Teddy. “She’s been having nightmares.
    Jean Levine told me she told her about a dead baby crying.”
    “Oh,” Teddy said.
    “Everything’s all right, honey. You just had a bad dream,” Kristin said.
    “But I was awake, Mommy.”
    “You can dream while you’re awake,” Teddy told her. “It’s called daydreaming, honey.”
    “So you see,” Kristin said, smiling, “you shouldn’t be afraid of Mr. Slater. Come on.
    Show me your drawing now,” she coaxed. Jennifer glanced at Teddy timidly and then
    hurried back to her room to get her drawing.
    “What an idea . . . eyes moved out of his head. Little kids have such wild imaginations,”
    Teddy remarked.
    “Oh, I don’t know,” Kristin said. “The first time you saw me, you said your eyes popped out of your head.”
    He laughed.
    “They did. Luckily I’m an ophthalmologist, so I knew how to fix it.”
    They both turned excitedly, prepared to lavish compliments when Jennifer hurried back with her drawing.
    Later in bed, Kristin lay awake with her eyes open for the longest time. Teddy looked like he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but in the darkness, she imagined two eyes peering down at her and thought about Jennifer’s bizarre claim. It made her shudder and she slid her body closer to Teddy.
    “You all right?” he asked.
    “Yes.” Her voice was small, like a child’s. He kissed