Chapter 4 of this saga is based off a real life problem I have with some people in my life. There is nobody currently in my life who respects my lifestyle choice to be a night owl. This was a lifestyle I had previously adopted in the aftermath of my job in the government where I began staying up late after quitting the job citing no real reason to be up early as I did not have a reason to be since I did not work. For the longest time, I would stay up all hours of the night and live as if it was daytime despite it being in the middle of the night. To make it simple, when everybody else was going to sleep, I was just getting up. This is also similar to the lifestyle of most teenagers when they don’t have school. Now a lot of people in my life have had objections to this lifestyle but chose to accept it. This was until it got out of hand and at one point, I found myself having been awake for four days straight with no sleep where I would only wake up long enough to do what needed to be done, (eating my meals and using the bathroom, sometimes make phone calls,) ETC before returning back to sleep and only really waking up for good around 9:00 p.m. and thus I would stay up all night and go back to bed early in the morning. After mom caught wind of this and showed disapproval towards it, she put her foot down and once again began forcing me to do things during the day and even setting me on a regularly scheduled bedtime of 12 midnight. This was unfortunately met with criticism from me as I objected to living life like that of an elderly man who was in bed when the sun went down and woke up when the sun rose. Despite this, it remained active until mom and I settled on an agreement, (I think although I’m not sure whether she has signed off on this or not,) where I need to be up by no later than 9 a.m. despite whatever time I choose to go to bed. This brings us to where we are now and I currently find myself getting tired around 1:30 a.m. sometimes later if I’m sick, stressed, or waiting for my cheque to come in. Regardless of what time I go down, I’m expected to be up no later than 9 for my morning call with staff. Naps during the day are discouraged as well as going out too late at night with the rule being set that I have an 8:00 p.m. curfew for any para I may take, (I cannot schedule a ride later than 8:00 p.m.,) as the expectation is for me to be home at the very least by 9 p.m.

This is really hard to deal with given my preferred lifestyle choice but mom has said that she puts these rules in place for my safety as it pertains to going out late as well as my overall health in trying to set me on a reasonable sleep schedule. If this wasn’t bad enough, now other people have embraced this routine and it’s now one that my brother Ben goes by. I will not get into the details of his side of this story but this got me to thinking of something. Where would Megan stand in all of this. If you’ve read my stories up to this point, you are aware of the fact that Megan is my girlfriend to whom I am now married and my marriage even cost me my best friend Chris in the story, not in real life, (but this is another story all together.) She has managed to impress mom in terms of what she has been able to do for me. That being said, I still don’t know what her opinion of me being out/up late is and whether or not she would agree with me doing this. This is the topic of chapter 4 of “Silent Love.” In this chapter, I will finally get a definitive answer. So here is chapter 4 of “Silent Love” A Match Made In Heaven.

Silent Love Part 4: A Match Made in Heaven

Tagline: Sleep all day. Party all night. If their neighbors don’t like it, too bad

For 35 years, people told him the world doesn’t revolve around him. With help from his wife, he will prove them wrong

It has been two years since Megan and I have gotten married and a lot has happened since then. At this point, the book we cowrote and published has become a bestseller and has sold over 20 million copies. Mom has retired from her job citing physical inability to manage a full job. We have each agreed to give her half of the weekly money we earn through sales of our book as well as half of the money I earn from the spelling bee I took part in when Megan and I first met. Between both earnings, she has managed to earn a decent enough living to not have to work anymore. Megan and I have since moved into a bigger house with neighbors around us and have many new friends who have also bought and read copies of our book. Unfortunately, due to another fight occurring with Chris and his wife, we are no longer friends and he has moved away with his wife out of the city, though mom is still happily married to his father and our stepfather and stepson relationship is still going strong.

Though the relationship between Megan and I is going strong, she has spent two months away from me having gone back to England for a little while after consistent fights we have over my lifestyle choice to do things at night rather than during the day and sleep all day, ETC. Despite this, we still love each other and talk on the phone everyday where she claims to miss me terribly. At one point, she says she would do anything to move back in with me as she is getting tired of travelling. She said she was sorry for the derogatory comments she made, (which were what initially forced us to decide we needed some time apart,) and that she will now accept me for who I am. Although I was somewhat reluctant, I agree that she should return.

Upon returning home, she insists that I rediscover my admiration for movie reviews that I used to write, with me agreeing to this if I got paid double the amount I was getting paid before, (I was initially making $3000.00 for blog and now I wanted $6000.00 per blog,) and also if she was able to make it an overnight job like it was before to further prove that I am indeed a night owl. She agrees to both conditions.

After watching and reviewing my 10,000th movie, (I don’t remember what movie it was,) we decide to have a party to celebrate the milestone and invite all of our friends. Unfortunately, the party is criticized by our next door neighbor, an elderly man whose name is unknown for being too loud. Megan and I realize that we’ve had problems with this neighbor over the excessive noise from our arguments occurring in the middle of the night.

Though we managed to shut the party down after a police threat from the elderly man, we decide that it isn’t his choice how loud we are and that we should be able to be as loud as we want given how much more rent we pay than everybody else on the block. With this in mind, we decide to continue to throw parties which are still meant to celebrate the 10,000th movie I’ve reviewed. Each time, the elderly man becomes more and more infuriated at the noise.

“If you don’t stop right now, I’m calling the cops. It is (insert time of the middle of the night,) and I’m trying to sleep.” he would say

This would just earn him a punch in the face where he would be forced back into his house by other guests. When the noise continues throughout the next few days, he indeed calls the cops to complain. This is done without our knowledge and we get a visit from a police officer the next night.

The officer walks up the steps to the house and knocks on the door. As I answer it, he says, “Good evening sir. I think it’s time for you to shut this party down. It’s getting late and others are trying to sleep.”

Not willing to shut the party down, I hand him a copy of our book and ask him if he wants a copy.

“My wife read this book. Apparently it’s really good.” he says

“Well, you might be interested to know that my wife and I are the authors of this book and I would like to remind you of how much money we pay to live here. I So maybe I give you a free copy of this book to allow us to be as loud as we want.” I respond.

“Ok but not too loud sir. The neighbor next door is complaining that he can’t sleep.” says the officer.

Despite the warning from the officer, the loud noise continues in the middle of the night and it isn’t long before the elderly man is joined by other people on the block with the same complaint. Their complaints range from “My husband and I need to get to work in the morning,” “my kids need to get to school, “I had a long night working at (insert job,) ETC. Before long, everybody is calling the police to the point where other crimes taking place are overlooked. Despite their best efforts, they are unable to stop the party and do anything about it as we are within our right as we are on our own property and not physically harming anyone.

“I’m sorry everybody but these people have every right to live their lives. The last time we checked, it wasn’t illegal to throw a party or have people over in celebration of something. Now if you don’t mind, there are other people who need our help and each time you call us, you are taking away officers from those crimes and therefore, this is grounds for police interference which you will be forced to pay for.” said the officer

“Officer, with all due respect, isn’t there supposed to be an 11:00 curfew for noise within houses which will result in a noise ordinance violation if broken?” asked the elderly man

“Yes there is but right now, we are powerless to do anything while they are on their own property and not doing anything. From this point forward, we ask that you only call us in regards to this matter if anything gets out of control. Otherwise, it’s not in our power to interfere. Now please return to your home. We have other work to do.” said the officer.

After yet another party results in the elderly man being told off by Megan, he calls the police in the middle of the night claiming there was a lot of noise.

“Oh come on sir. What did I just finish explaining to you last night? Their not doing anything wrong. If you don’t like the noise, get yourself some ear plugs. I think the problem is you’re lonely. Well, you know what? We’re police officers not people who want to be your friends. Now please go back to sleep sir. We’re very busy.” said the officer.

“Oh I’ll show them really busy.” said the elderly man. If this happens again, I will go over there myself and put a stop to this but it’s already 3:00 in the morning so maybe I can finally get some sleep since they haven’t started yet.”

Just as the man goes back to sleep, there is what appears to be an explosion. Suddenly a blow up version of our book appears in the sky. Though this caused him to jump, he was able to get back to sleep until a live parade of cheering people equipped with fireworks showed up outside our door.

“That’s it!” he yelled. This ends right now.”

The old man proceeds to come over to the house. “I WANT THIS GOD DAMN PARTY SHUT DOWN OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY!” he angrily exclaims.

“What? We can’t hear you. The music is too loud.” said Megan

“Well, maybe you’ll hear this.” said the elderly man as he charges into the house. He scrambles to find the plug to unplug the radio. We had super glued it into the wall so he couldn’t pull it out.

“You’ll never get away with this.” he yelled I’m calling the cops right now.

“Yes officer. Can you hear that? he asks

“All I can hear is you being an asshole. Leave those people alone or you’ll be charged. We’re getting sick of you harassing us for nothing.” said the officer. Call us one more time, just one more, you know where you’re going.

“You have to believe me. They’re out of control.” he said

And you have to believe us. This conversation is over. Now go to bed and stop calling us. I’m getting very angry.” said the officer.

“It’s a good thing I was on my break during that call.” he said. He turns on the tv where the local news happens to be doing a story on the party.

“Reports suggest that there is a major party going on where fireworks are being lit in the houses next door which have resulted in the entire police force being called to the party where one of them looks to address the situation.

“This party is definitely out of control but right now, it appears the young couple have padlocked the door to the point we cannot open it so there’s nothing we can do right now.” he said. However, if there are any available units out there, we could use as many hands on deck to try and stop this party as soon as possible.”

In view of the camera, the elderly man says, “You see what I mean?” while giving the camera the middle finger. Just then, more fireworks go off causing the elderly man to run.

Meanwhile, mom is looking for a job and is unaware of what has happened up to this point. She sees an ad for a person to be on the local neighborhood watch. This is a job she decides to take as it requires her to just drive around and she believes there won’t be a lot to do since it’s the middle of the night.

“Ma’am I have to warn you of a massive party taking place in one neighborhood right now. We have officers who at this point are reluctant to get involved as their is fireworks and the door is padlocked and it’s causing damage to the street.” warned an officer. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Well, I want to make sure that this neighborhood is safe for my son who just moved here with his wife and is disabled. I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle. she said

“Well just be careful and I should probably mention that the same party has been going on for six months and each time we try to put it out, there is more officers being put down and the people throwing the party are rude. They say the reason for it is the 10,000th movie review the husband has done or something. However, they need to know that a party of this size should be illegal as it disturbs people. Also, I wouldn’t recommend your son be out in these circumstances. said the officer.

“Oh don’t worry. He won’t be especially where there’s parties like this going on.” she said.

“Just give me the address and I will go there right now. It will be a good way to start my new job. she said

“Ok but I must warn you…” she stops the officer before he can finish what he is saying. “You don’t need to repeat yourself.” she said

After the officer gives her the address, she gasps. ‘This is my son’s address! Did you happen to get the name of the person who is throwing this party?” If it’s the right person, I can personally guarantee this is the last time anyone will have to listen to the party.” She said

“His name is Jeff Landry and his wife’s name is Megan.” said the officer

“Say no more. The parry is over.” mom said

As she pulls to the house, she can see the elderly man now armed with a baseball bat trying to open the door. “God damnit!” he yelled. When I get in there…..mom stops him before he can say anything else.

“What will you do when you get in there? He’s my son. Don’t talk about him like that.” mom yelled.

“Well excuse me but you’re not the one being kept up every night because of his loud noise, are you? I don’t know what you can do that the cops can’t but good luck.” he said.

“You’d be surprised.” she said

She breaks open the window to find the music blasting while Megan and I are getting intimate upstairs. She walks in on us and Megan screams.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING? DON’T YOU KNOW THAT YOU’RE ON THE NEWS, THE COPS HAVE BEEN CALLED,” ETC. she screamed.

I was shocked to see mom as I did not know she was on the neighborhood watch. “Mom where did you come from?” I ask in amazement and while you’re here, take a look at this.” I then point to Megan’s body.

“DON’T START. You shut this party down or there will be hell to pay starting with you saying goodbye to your little girlfriend, wife, whatever the hell she is to you. I get one more call about you guys throwing a party like this, I will forbid you from seeing her. Is that clear?” mom exclaims.

“It’s taken care of sir. They will not make anymore noise. I have made sure of it.” mom said

“But what about the noise from that god damn speaker coming right through my window?” asked the elderly man

Mom went back in the house and failing to be able to unplug the speaker, she simply threw it out the window before smashing it to pieces. This finally brings the neighborhood some much needed silence.

“Go to bed right now Jeff.” She yelled

“Yes mom.” I agree

From then on, Megan and I have been very careful how much noise we make. We won’t have to deal with law enforcement but mom herself who clearly can do things much better than any police officer.

The End