The Nosy Neighbor (Busybodies Collection, #4)

by Nita Prose

The thing about Doris is she’s a busybody with her nose up in everyone else’s business. You know the type—the first to offer advice, the last to take it? She’s been like that for as long as I’ve known her, which is almost fifty years.

ever since the accident two years ago, he’s lost the ability to speak, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t listening.

“What’s the point if you’re not going to live life to the fullest? Live it or lose it,

It goes to show you that contrary to popular opinion, wisdom does not always come with age. If anything, it runs the other way a lot of the time.

I keep telling him, if you act dead, the reaper will find you faster.”

But “art time” didn’t last long, either, which I was grateful for, since Doris was flipping more beefcakes than In-N-Out Burger on a busy Friday night.

“You know perfectly well that Harold is in an urn. He died two years ago, and you’re still not over it.” She turns to the sergeant. “Every time I bring up the idea of a proper burial for her husband instead of leaving his ashes on his easy chair in the living room, she has a hissy fit and changes the subject.”

What does he know about loneliness and loss? He has no idea what it feels like to lose almost everyone around you, including the person you love most in this world.

“I

told you before, Marge. If you don’t live life to the fullest, you deserve to die.”

Something I’ve learned through the years is that a few compliments, greased palms, and pretty tears shed at the right moment is all it takes to get away with anything, even murder.”

The silver urn glints and shines, reflecting my exhausted face back at me. “Well,” I say, “I guess this means I’m next.”