When I moved into Dad’s house after his death, I never planned to stay. But grief lingered. So did the neighbor. From the moment he arrived, he made life miserable—always watching, creeping around at night, even wrecking my herb garden. Something about him was off.

Mr. Harrison, my other neighbor, shared my suspicions. “He walks like someone hiding something,” he said. “Sweeps his porch like a surgeon. Too tidy. Too careful.” I laughed at first, but the way he glared from behind curtains made my skin crawl. Then one night, I’d had enough—after he trashed my basil and thyme, I stormed across the street.

I expected a confrontation. What I found instead stopped me cold. A woman opened the door—no makeup, curls under a hoodie, tired eyes. And behind her on the couch: a wig, cap, jeans, and a button-down. The disguise. He had been her all along.

“You’ve been pretending to be someone else,” I said.

She swallowed. “Because I didn’t think you’d speak to me if you knew the truth.”

“What truth?”

“I’m your mother, Haley. I lost you a long time ago. I’ve been sober for years. I just wanted to see you… but didn’t know how.”

Silence fell. Then Mr. Harrison, who had quietly followed, added, “Your dad thought he was protecting you. But he hoped you’d find each other someday.”

I didn’t reach for her. But I didn’t walk away either.

Maybe for now, that was enough.