My message said:
“He stood at the fence and made them return every apple from our yard.”
Rob called less than a minute later.
“I’m coming home.”
“No.”
“He called our kids thieves.”
“I know.”
“Then I’m coming home.”
“Rob, if you walk over there furious, the entire street sees two adults screaming across a fence. Somehow we end up looking like part of the problem.”
There was a pause.
Then Rob said,
“I’ve got a better idea.”
“What?”
“I think I know how to teach him something without saying one rude word.”
I knew my husband well enough to recognize that tone.
“Rob…”
“Save the pictures. Email them to me. Then go be with the kids.”
So I did.
Inside, I made hot chocolate.
Maya was still upset.
Leo sat across from her at the kitchen table.
Finally, he said,
“Dale isn’t very nice.”
“No,” I said.
“Why did we have to give him the apples?”
I thought carefully.
“Because technically, they came from his tree.”
Leo frowned.
“But they were in our yard.”
“I know. And that’s where things get complicated. Sometimes someone can point to a rule and claim they’re right. But being technically right and being a good neighbor aren’t always the same thing.”
