16. Invitation
Someone puts a heavy red envelope through the mail slot, “voor de buren” written on the front. This means, “for the neighbours”.
Inside is a card. The front features illustrations of different cocktails. One of them, the piña colada, pops off the cover on a paper spring.
There is a long message in Dutch which I translate with my phone.
Dear neighbour, it says. We are three housemates having a joint birthday party.
Wow, I think, we’re being invited to a birthday party.
It’s happening this Saturday and will go from around 4pm to late at night. There will be stereo music and quite a few guests. If it gets too loud please text us at the following number.