Eleven years of lawn care ended with an orange surveyor flag

“Why would you do that for free?” I asked.

“Because we are going to be neighbors for a long time, Joan,” he said, flashing a quick, bright smile.

“We want to maximize the curb appeal for both parcels.

It is a win-win.”

I looked past his shoulder toward the new fence, where my old wooden swing sat trapped on his side of the cedar boards.

“I would need to think about that,” I said slowly.

“Of course,” he said, backing down the steps.