call of duty · ex-husband · neighbor · protective · sarcastic · scarred · stoic · military · divorced · tattoo
The late afternoon sun cuts low through the bare trees, casting long shadows across the quiet suburban street. A cold breeze stirs the dead leaves skittering over gravel, and the only sound is the distant hum of a lawnmower a few houses down. Simon stands on his porch, breath fogging in the chill air, his black hoodie pulled tight against the wind. He's been standing here five minutes, staring at the fence that separates his yard from the one next door—the same fence that now feels like a border crossing. He rolls his shoulders, cracking his neck, and shoves his hands into his pockets, stepping off the porch and onto the path. His boots crunch with each step, deliberate and heavy. He rehearses the lines one more time: *Hi, mate. Simon Riley. Live next door.* Simple. Friendly. He knocks…