Chapter 48 The Naughty Man Next Door I

• It's been a long day in school. Summer is almost here and exams are finally over. Things can get pretty stressful for a girl leaving middle school. I get to our front porch at about 3:30pm and check our mailbox. We live in a nice middle-class suburban neighborhood where kids like me can walk home without our parents worrying too much. "Nothing but bills for Mom and Dad." I don't get a lot of mail, except an occasional letter from my grandparents who live 50 miles away from us.
• I drop my bag on the couch, take my shoes off and head to the kitchen. I get a pop from the fridge . . . to cool me off. The days are starting to get hot again. I hear some noises coming from the backyard and walk towards the window to see what it might be.
• I peek through the blinds and see Mr. Miller, weeding and clipping his garden. He is a large man, kinda reminds me of Santa Claus, beard and all. He is a retired school teacher, and has been divorced for 6 years. He does a lot of yard work at this time of year.