The Great Neighborhood Secret

The Great Neighborhood Secret

When Britt and Jeffrey were little, I was overprotective to the core. I worried about cars going too fast, someone trying to steal them, wild animals like bears, foxes, coyotes, or moose — you name it. I even told them there were monsters in the woods so they wouldn’t wander in there. And I never let them sleep over anywhere until they were much older because I wanted them safe under my roof at night.

So when I finally let them leave the yard, it was only with strict instructions: they could cut through the neighbor’s yard and go straight to Dylan’s and Becka’s house — nowhere else. I thought this kept things simple, and the kids always told me they were right where I said they could be.

Or so I believed.

It wasn’t until Britt and Jeffrey were in their twenties that I learned the truth: once they were out of my sight, they weren’t staying at Dylan’s or Becka’s at all. They were all over the neighborhood, running the roads, having little adventures I never knew about!

At the time, I was sure I had everything under control. Looking back, it turns out the kids had a very different plan — and they kept it a secret for years.