My Daughter Asked My Neighbor Why She Watched Me Mow the Lawn… Her Answer Made Both of Us Freeze…

My kid laughing.

And Elise watching from the porch with coffee in her hand.

She came down the steps slowly now.

Barefoot.

Quiet.

The fence between our yards was only waist-high, but suddenly it felt like a courtroom rail.

Sophie stood on our side with a juice box and absolute authority.

“Well?” she asked.

“Sophie,” I warned.

“What? You said adults should answer questions honestly.”