MY MOTHER-IN-LAW ACCIDENTALLY RECORDED SOMETHING SHE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO SEE (11 of 13)

We visited once.

He didn’t look surprised to see us. Just smiled and said, “Thank you.”

We didn’t stay long.

But I think he needed that closure.

So did we.

The camcorder stayed tucked away after that. Nadine still came over every Sunday, but now she left the camera at home.

Instead, she started baking more. Talking more. Even made friends with the widow next door.

As for Sam and me, we learned something that year.

Sometimes the danger next door isn’t loud. It’s quiet. It waters its roses and smiles politely and takes your trash bins in.

And sometimes, that danger is just a person too lost to ask for help.

But boundaries still matter.