Stalker Next Door

I currently have a problem. Two years ago, recently widowed "Stan" moved in next door. The brick house is a stone's throw from mine (In the past I built it to be near my aging mother.)

Retired Stan was frequently outside when I was. He would come out of his house and stand in his yard to start small talk. At first I welcomed him, feeling sorry about his lonely situation, but then the gut "he's a creeper" screamed in me.

I built a privacy fence. Unfortunately one of his windows is above it.

Last week for the first time having my dog in the neighborhood for a walk, he pulled up beside me in an isolated area to say, "You off today?" I answered and kept walking.

The other day he was in the grocery store when I was. I thought I had lost him but there he was, right behind me at the checkout (there were several checkouts) trying to make small talk.

He is bugging the crap out of me.

Once he told me that my new kitchen light was much brighter. I now have a cut piece of cardboard I place over the window under the bamboo blind at night.

Stan started walking in front of the fence near the street and across my lawn, uninvited, whenever I took my trash out, checked my mail or tended my flower bed. He knows when I come home from work. I thought I had put a stop to it explaining to him it alarmed me and that he must stop, but after about six months, he gave it another try.

This was just two days ago. Again I insisted he not just come over, I was serious, angry looking and firm. I walked into the house.

This geezer is 72 but healthy. He drives in front of my house to back into his driveway. If my blinds are open he can see right into my private world through the French doors.

He has a clutter of aged cement statues: gnomes, angels, deer and they look like shit in the tall grass.

He has a disgraceful United States Flag tattered to the blue and white faded square flipping in the wind like strips of a rag in the center of his front yard.

Part of me is afraid because I could not physically handle him. So I force myself to not "poke the bear" and I think he knows this.

My house and his are secluded in the back of a loop of homes.

I'll tell you how I feel about it, angry!! My home life is supposed to be a safe place. I should feel relaxed at home but I'm always looking over my shoulder, adjusting the blinds and listening for his vehicle so I can dodge him.

I feel like I have to be clothed "properly" during the days I'm home.

No one stops in front of my house but Stan to back his car. I am very frustrated.

I think I'll take this write to the local police. That's what my out of state brother suggested.

Your thoughts Prosers?