The Johnson family had just moved into a new neighborhood. After their neighbors, the Summers family, threw them a welcoming party, a long-lasting dispute began because of their shared lawn. However, outside adversaries would eventually force them to band together for the greater good.The Summers family – John, his wife, Judy, and ten-year-old son, Tommy – watched curiously from their porch as the new neighbors moved their furniture into the house next door.“The old Daniels’ house has finally been sold, huh?” Judy said, casually sipping a cup of tea.

You think they are from the city?” Judy asked.

“Must be. Look at those unnecessarily fancy bags. A bit much if you ask me,” John said with a judgmental grimace.

“Oh, Johnny. Always such a grouch. I like their bags,” Judy said.

“Looks like there’s a kid there too. He looks like he’s my age,” Tommy said with excitement. Tommy and the other boy, Kevin’s eyes momentarily met. They shared a brief nod of acknowledgment.

“Kevin! Stop staring off into the clouds and help your mother with the rest of the bags,” Kevin’s dad, Danny, told his son, seeing him gazing at the neighbors next door.

“Nonsense. They’re just being neighborly. Plus, I think this may be really good for Kevin. He may even find a friend in the boy next door. You know he struggled to make friends back in the city. This could be good for him.”
Kevin helped his mother, Cindy, bring the bags into the house. Danny peeked out the kitchen window, looking into the family’s porch.

“Looks like we’ve got some nosy neighbors,” Danny scoffed.

“They seem nice. Perhaps we should introduce ourselves once we are settled in,” Cindy suggested.

“Maybe… I just kind of think we left the city so we could have a little peace and quiet. Let’s not get too caught up in community politics, love?” Danny said.

“Politics, Danny? Relax…this is our new home. Our new community. We should embrace it. And I know how you get sometimes,” Cindy said, giving Danny the side eye.

“I know, my love. And I’m all for embracing it. All I’m saying is they seem a little intrusive,” Danny added.

“Nonsense. They’re just being neighborly. Plus, I think this may be really good for Kevin. He may even find a friend in the boy next door. You know he struggled to make friends back in the city. This could be good for him,” Cindy said, holding her husband affectionately.

“Hello! I’m in the room!” Kevin said, raising his hand as a gesture of notice. His parents both laughed.

“You’re mom’s right. This is a fresh start for all of us Johnsons. We should grab it by the horns and embrace it!” Danny said, pulling his son into the huddle as he looked around at their new home.

A few days later, there was a knock at the Johnson family’s door. Cindy went to open the door and found a congregation of their neighbors, all standing at their porch bearing various gifts of baked goods and other foods. Among them were John, Judy, and Tommy.

“Greetings there! We are the Summers family. These are the McCarthy, the Stevens, and the Lloyd family. We are all your new neighbors, and we just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood,” Judy said with a warm smile.

“Oh, wow! How kind of you!” Cindy said as Judy handed her a casserole. “Danny! Kevin!” Cindy called. Danny and Kevin arrived moments later, surprised to see the welcoming party at their doorstep.

“Our neighbors came bearing gifts, honey,” Cindy said to her husband.

“Oh, why thank you! I’m Danny, this is my beautiful wife, Cindy, and our son, Kevin,” Danny said, taking the rest of the gifts. Again, Tommy and Kevin gave each other a discreet nod of acknowledgment and a friendly smile.

“Great to meet you all. I’m John, and this is my wife, Judy, and son, Tommy. Seeing as our houses share a border, we thought it only fitting that we have a barbecue there to welcome you to the neighborhood and better acquaint ourselves with each other. Saturday afternoon. What do you think?” John said.