So, Why on Earth Did We?
Why We Stayed When Ukraine Was Attacked by Natasha Sennett
In the following months almost everyone we knew, saw, and exchanged pleasantries with pre-war, fled the city, ran, moved to the suburbs, or simply stopped answering their phones.
Our walkup in the building had three flats with occupants still in them, us included. To the right of us, there were Lena and Valik, an older couple, who we had a rough relationship with from the start. This was due to our loud renovations, that lasted longer than expected and irritated everyone around in the immediate perimeter. I would also be that neighbor, irritated and indignant if the loud contractors settled in close by and terrorized the space with nonstop banging, drilling, and whatever else just as loud to hearing apparatus for the sake of a better flow and comfort of the space. Lena and Valik were straight forward about their feelings as far as our project was concerned, and I did not delay with reciprocating as politely as I knew how to deliver to them the message that our apartment will continue to be a nuisance to everyone concerned as long as I had the will and determination to see through what I started. That being said, the acquaintance was off to a bumpy and resentful start on both sides.
I still remember seeing her at the top of the stairs one night, after we took the dogs out for a quick bathroom…
