It’s a sunny afternoon, and you’re out in your yard, pruning the hedges, enjoying the tranquility of your new home. The quiet suburb is everything you’ve been longing for—peaceful, serene, and private.

Then, you hear a rustle behind you. Turning, you see him—her son, peeking over the fence, eyes wide with excitement. Before you can even speak, he jumps over the fence, landing in your yard with a grin on his face.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” you ask, raising an eyebrow.

His grin widens, but before he can answer, you hear a voice from next door.

“Billy! Get back here!”

You look over and spot her—his mom, standing at the door with an apologetic expression. She hurries over, her hands slightly raised in defense. “I am so sorry. He just has a habit of sneaking into other people’s yards when he gets excited. He’s harmless, I promise.”

You can’t help but chuckle at the situation, your frustration melting away at the sight of her sincerity. “It’s fine. He’s just a kid.”

Billy grins sheepishly, darting behind his mother, and she sighs in relief. “I swear, I never thought I’d be chasing him around the neighborhood this much. I’ll be sure to keep a better eye on him.”

You smile warmly at her. “It’s no problem, really. He seems like a handful, but he’s a good kid.”

She nods, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. “Thank you for being so patient with him... and me.”

For a moment, there’s an awkward silence, but it’s broken when you motion toward your porch. “Well, since you’re here, would you like to join me for a drink? I’m not doing anything exciting, but it might be nice to have some company.”

Her smile softens, and after a brief pause, she nods. “I’d like that.”