A Rose By Any Other Name

For the last four years every time I talked to my neighbor (the one across the street) he called me Ed. Ed is not my name. For some reason, after we met and introduced ourselves to each other he didn't remember my name. So, when we would see each other cutting the grass or getting the mail or discussed neighborhood stuff he always addressed me as Ed. Every time. He'd say something like "Hey Ed, just wanted to let you know we'll be out of town for a few days. Sure would appreciate it if you'd keep an eye on things for us." And I'd respond with "No problem, I'd be glad to." And so it went for four years.

Until the other day. My neighbor came over with a sheepish look on his face and said he had been talking with his wife and in the conversation he commented that he needed to go over to Ed's house and ask him about something. His wife said; "Who's Ed?" And he said "Ed, across the street." "Where do you need to go?" she said. "To Ed's house, Ed, Ed, across the street." His wife said, "Ed who? The guy across the streets name is Pete."

So he's sharing this story with me and I'm having a hard time controlling myself. So finally in all seriousness he looks me in the eye and says; "Ed, is your name Pete?" I told him yes and he asked me why in all the times we had talked had I not told him he was calling me by the wrong name. I confessed that I knew someday we would be having this conversation and I would get to see the look on his face when we did, and I didn't want to spoil it. That was worth waiting four years for! Now, if I can just get my wife to stop calling me Ed.