The Dog Barked

Saturday, June 28, 2025

About two months ago, Keith’s sister texted to see if she and her family could stay with us while they attended a local graduation party. I said of course, because, of course! A couple days later, I asked Keith, “Did you tell your sisters we are moving?” He said no, because of course he didn’t. I said, “Don’t tell them. We will let Vonnie come to the wrong house.” I texted Benjamin to let him know the plan.

Over the past month, we have enjoyed imaging scenarios of Vonnie going to the wrong house – what Maren would say, such as, “Who?” or “They moved,” or “They moved three years ago.” After confusion reigned, I would jump out and say, “Surprise!” Several of my friends who are kinder than I am worried Vonnie would be upset or hurt or otherwise unhappy. I insisted it would be fun for all. Then I hoped it would be fun for all. You just don’t move next door (secretly, apparently) very often and you just gotta take advantage of it when it happens.

We tracked Vonnie on her way from Madison so we would be ready. I was hanging out with Mollie and Maren, playing a new game, keeping out of view of the window and door. The plan was Mollie would answer the door and be confused about who they were asking for, since she had lived there for 3 years and didn’t know us. She would call for her mom, who would say she thought those were the people they bought the house from, and maybe she had a phone number. We jumped up a bunch of times, thinking they were arriving, before they actually did arrive. We saw the van come into the cul-de-sac, then park in front of the house. Then nothing happened. We waited. Mollie was nervous. Maren was nervous and was hiding in the kitchen to give Mollie her shot. We waited. Trooper Dog was intermittently barking to let us know there were PEOPLE out there.

Then my phone rang. I bobbled it like it was a hot potato. It was Vonnie. Should I answer? Ahhhh! What should I do? I thought if I didn’t answer she would call Keith and he would answer because he probably forgot we were pranking her, so I answered. She immediately asked, “What is your house number?” I went with stupid. “What? Did you forget where we live?” “No, but what is your house number? I thought we were here, but there is a dog. Barking.”

Darned dog.

I confessed our true house number as I walked out the front door. She was talking about our house as I walked up to the car. Everyone opened windows and Mark popped out of the driver’s door. I greeted them and told them I moved next door.

They did not believe me. I suggested they go in Maren’s house to check it out. Marcos was nominated to go with me. I took him in and introduced him to Maren and Mollie. He was not sure what to think. Mark came in. I introduced him to Maren and Mollie. He looked a bit stunned. Marcos alerted us to Vonnie unpacking the car. I zoomed out to stop her and said I really moved next door. She did not believe me. Mark said we moved next door. She did not believe him. Marcos said we moved. She spent a moment just standing in the street, completely unable to figure out who was telling the truth.

I think it was fun for everyone.

They got to the new house eventually. We sat and chatted a long time (Marcos is very patient and kind to old[er] people just yammering on about weather and the price of tea in China). We decided to go for dinner, then to the mall. Marcos has a reputation for enjoying stylish clothes and liking to shop for them. We set him free to shop and the adults wandered a bit. Marcos was done before us and was waiting at the meeting point.