It started 30 years ago with a squirrel. A few months after I had moved into a downtown1 my next-door neighbor, Nicole Figaro, knocked, asking for help with a squirrel that had gotten into her flat.
I frightened the unexpected 2 away and made a new friend. Soon Nicole was inviting me over for dinner or3home-made food at my door. When I went to my beach house, Nicole helped4my mail and water my plants. And when she traveled as a flight attendant, I did the same for her. Wherever she went, she'd5to bring me wonderful gifts, but her smile has been the greatest of all.
In 1997, I had a lovely child and it was Nicole who took care of me and him. Years later, I returned the favour. I helped out when her husband was sick, 6 her and giving her support. More and more, we drew inspiration from each other.
7, the pandemic hit. My husband was out of work and my son couldn't be back to Britain because of the virus. I was 8 about them. Nicole helped my family to prepare for the pandemic and shared necessities with me. Without her, I couldn't go through9times.
A10might separate our flats and masks can separate the viruses, but nothing is able to separate our hearts.
