Do you think I should have walked out and introduced myself to the sheriff’s deputy when they came to tow the yard guy’s truck away this afternoon? Do you think they should have knocked on my door and told me what was going on? Or was it okay for me to peek through the mini-blinds while they loaded the heap on their trailer?

To tell you the truth, I think they just assumed that no one was home. They went about their business, and within fifteen minutes of their arrival, they were gone. The deputy did the paperwork on the trunk of her car, and the carrier truck rolled out of here about three o’clock. I did sneak upstairs and take a photo through the loft window, but it was a little awkward. I was trying not to be noticed, so I didn’t lean out and yell for everyone to smile.

Five minutes afterward, I walked outside and took a look at the spot where the truck has been sitting for the last six months. It’s bare and rocky there, but that’s only in contrast to the weeds and high grass that have grown up and died in the field all around. There isn’t much greenery on that side of the driveway anyway.

The biggest advantage of having the truck gone, aside from removing an eyesore, is that I can now back out of my garage in my preferred direction. I’ve been awkwardly backing the other way all these months, and as a result that side of the driveway is also showing wear and tear. Now this winter I can let things grow back there (and next spring I can cut them all down again).

So now this sad episode is behind us. That is, unless my yard guy or his family comes back and asks what happened to his truck. I’m pretty sure I’m covered on this. They never left a name and phone number with me, and the sheriff’s ten-day notice has been on the windshield for a month and a half. It’s pretty obvious the thing was abandoned, and nothing I could have said would have changed anything. So it’s just as well I stayed indoors today, because I’m glad it’s gone.