My neighbor threatened to ruin my $2,000 Halloween display. Then everything was destroyed. The kids struck back first. But I had a much bigger surprise planned for him.
My name is Emma, I’m 36, and a month ago, I bought my first house after a divorce that nearly destroyed my confidence.
My ex-husband, Daniel, had never taken my work as a freelance holiday decorator seriously.
“You’re still making those ridiculous decorations?”
“It’s my job, Daniel.”
I bought my first house after a divorce.
“Painting cardboard pumpkins isn’t a real job.”
“I’ve loved making decorations since I was little.”
“Well, you’re not little anymore. Grow up.”
He never understood.
Growing up, we couldn’t afford Christmas trees or Halloween costumes. So I’d made decorations from cereal boxes to make our apartment feel special.
You’re still making those ridiculous decorations?
Eventually, I stopped defending my work. Worse, I almost started believing him.
But now I finally had my own house, where nobody could tell me what to create.
Unfortunately, my new neighborhood wasn’t exactly welcoming.
Nobody waved. Nobody decorated.
Even the mailboxes looked miserable.
I’d made decorations from cereal boxes.
***
One morning, my neighbor stopped beside my lawn.
“I’m Richard. Been here twenty-three years.”
“Emma. Just moved in.”
“Obviously.”
“Is it that noticeable?”
“We don’t usually get newcomers.”
My new neighborhood wasn’t exactly welcoming.
“Well, there’s a first time for everything.”
“I’ve spent twenty-three years keeping this street respectable. Nothing excessive.”
His wife, Diane, appeared behind him. “Some newcomers don’t understand that.”
What happened next changed everything… FULL STORY on the next page.
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