There was a neighbor, Clark, who borrowed things and forgot to return them. He had been in possession of our echo chainsaw for over a month now. This Saturday we were going to need it ourselves. I was getting it back. Let him buy one of his own.

This is why wars get started, I thought to myself. One person deliberately or unknowingly does something to really annoy the other person. He borrows an item that he knows, or should know, is needed by the person he borrows it from and doesn’t return it. He is the neighbor who is inconsiderate time after time.

As I set the flowers down on the black dining room set, I stood back to admire the good decorating sense I used when I bought it. It looked perfect with the pale green flowered dishes I used. My friends were coming for lunch and I was ready.

Lenore, who was married to the inconsiderate Clark, was going to be one of the guests. If I got a chance, I would bring the topic of chainsaws into the conversation. It might not fit in well with gossip and fashionista talk though.

I went to the kitchen and checked the wonderful chicken salad in the fridge. Yes nice and chilled, just like Martha Stewart would do it. I smiled at the thought of my own culinary expertise. I was serving it with small croissants and crepes for dessert.

Well here they come I thought as I went in the hall to answer the front door. Jeana had on a pretty sage green blouse and diamond earrings. Ruba wore a yellow sweater and slacks set. Lenore wore jeans and a sweater. Jeana always wore jeans, even to church.

I smiled and said come on in. I mixed drinks and poured wine while we chatted. We went into the dining room and I began to serve the food. Jeana said John, her husband would cut his grass on Saturday or Sunday. This was the opening I needed to bring up the borrowed chainsaw. I asked Lenore if Clark was finished using our chainsaw yet (it was about time). I mentioned that Jerry, my better half would be trimming trees. I casually asked Lenore if he could stop over and pick up our chainsaw.

Sure she responded. He bought a poulan chainsaw last Saturday but forgot to return yours, she said. I smiled and asked her how that one worked as I dished up the salad. She said Clark seemed to like it fine. We chatted about price and warranties and then moved on to another topic. I guess both men got a good buy on their chainsaws.