Paid for my sister’s wedding, and my mother sent me a message: «You don’t have to come to the celebration. Your stepfather thinks you’re ruining the family photo.» The next morning they received a notification that made everyone in the family FURIOUS…

The conversation left a warm feeling. Despite everything that happened, he held no grudge against his sister. Mary was young, under strong influence from mother and stepfather.

Maybe someday their relationship would return to the former closeness. In early May, when the lot began to come alive after winter, Alex decided to turn part of the land into a garden: small but functional. He had never gardened before, but the idea of growing his own vegetables seemed appealing.

For starters, he chose the most unpretentious crops—zucchini, pumpkins, tomatoes, and greens. One morning, while digging beds, Alex heard the sound of an approaching car. It was unusual; his house stood aside from the main cottage communities, on a dead-end street with only three houses, and neighbors appeared rarely, mostly on weekends.

Straightening up and brushing dirt from his hands, he saw an unfamiliar car stop at his gate. A moment later, a woman about 35 stepped out, in a simple linen blouse and jeans. In her hands, she held a small basket covered with a checkered towel.

«Good day!» she called, noticing Alex. «Are you the new owner?» «Yes,» he headed to the gate, wiping his hands on his jeans along the way. «I’ve been living here about a month.

I’m Anna,» the woman smiled, extending her free hand for a shake. «I’m your neighbor from the end house. Decided to drop by to introduce myself and bring some of my signature baking.

Housewarming, after all.» Alex involuntarily smiled back. In the city, such spontaneous neighborly acquaintance would be unthinkable, but here, in quiet suburban life, it seemed natural.

Alex introduced himself, shaking her hand and opening the gate. «Nice to meet you. Come in, please.

I can offer coffee or tea on the veranda.» Anna turned out to be an artist who moved to the suburbs three years ago in search of inspiration and peace. She lived alone, except for two cats and a dog, and earned by selling paintings online and conducting workshops.

«I mostly paint landscapes,» Anna told, sitting on Alex’s veranda with a cup of tea. «The local nature is an inexhaustible source of subjects. Every season, every time of day, transforms the forest beyond recognition.

I’ve noticed,» nodded Alex. «I work from home; the office windows overlook the forest. Sometimes I catch myself staring at the trees for hours instead of the monitor.

They talked easily, jumping from topic to topic, from suburban life peculiarities to favorite books and movies. Alex hadn’t met a person with whom it was so easy to communicate in a long time. Anna didn’t seem embarrassed by his appearance, massive figure, and red beard.

On the contrary, at one point she noted. «You have an amazing textured appearance. I’d like to paint your portrait someday, if you’ll allow.»

«A portrait?» Alex was surprised. «No one’s ever painted me.» «Then it’ll be the first time,» Anna smiled.

«Think about my offer.» When she left, she invited Alex to a barbecue next weekend to meet other neighbors and just relax. He agreed, feeling a strange excitement, long forgotten and youthfully thrilling…