She found herself missing the middle-aged man that lived next door. He was married and had grandkids and yet he still managed to take care of his, as well as grandma's lawn in the summer and her walkways in the winter. In exchange grandma would bake them pies and cookies.

"No, Crash," she said when he kicked to get down. She rang the bell juggling her toddler, purse and diaper bag. When the door opened it almost seemed as if the world had come to a standstill.

Her ...