Jack and I had been in the rental house for exactly one night when our neighbor introduced herself—Lindsey, arriving with a too-perfect smile and a plate of cookies arranged like she’d practiced the presentation. Her friendliness felt polished, almost strategic. While she chatted, her eyes slid past us again and again, taking stock of our furniture, our boxes, even the paint cans we’d left by the entryway. Before leaving, she leaned in and delivered what she framed as a helpful warning: the neighborhood “rule” allowed only one vehicle per driveway, no exceptions. The way she said it felt less like...
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