One simple question from my neighbor’s son sent my life spiraling in a direction I never could have predicted. What I discovered about my husband left me reeling, and I knew my world was about to change forever.
It was just a regular Saturday. I was in the yard, knee-deep in weeds, soaking in the warm afternoon sun, when I noticed Dylan, my neighbor Lisa’s son, making his way up the driveway. Dylan was about nine or ten, a quiet but determined kid who rarely asked for anything. Today, though, he looked different—nervous, with his hands shoved into his pockets and his eyes cast downward.
“Hey, Ms. Taylor,” he mumbled when he stopped a few feet away. Normally, he was more outgoing, so his shy demeanor immediately grabbed my attention.
I wiped the dirt from my hands and smiled. “Hey, Dylan! Everything okay?”
He shifted on his feet, still avoiding eye contact. “Yeah, um… sorry to bother you, but can I swim in your pool for a little while?”
It was an innocent enough request, but it took me by surprise. Dylan had never asked to swim in my pool before, although the neighborhood kids often did during the summer. With his mom gone a lot, he spent most of his time alone, so I figured he just wanted something to do.
“Of course,” I said, glancing at the pool. “It’s warm today. You’ll feel better cooling off. Want some lemonade?”
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