Backyard Fence Conversation.
That's how it all started.

Coments? Questions? Reviews?

Several years ago—it's hard to believe, but more than 20 years now—I registered the domain name overthefence.net. At the time, I had this idea of building an online chat platform where people could connect casually, much like neighbors chatting over a backyard fence: friendly, informal, and unhurried. The project never really gained traction, but for one reason or another, I kept renewing the domain each year. Now that I'm retired, I find myself with more time to read and write, and I've been wondering what to do with this long-held domain. It struck me that the original concept—conversation over a fence—still has a certain charm in our fast-paced, digital world, where genuine, meandering dialogue often feels rare. So I've decided to repurpose the site into something simpler and more personal: a continuing, episodic story centered on two young neighbors who first meet while talking over their shared backyard fence. The protagonists are Liora, a 25-year-old woman, and Jonathan, a 28-year-old man. Their initial encounter is casual and unplanned, and from there the narrative will unfold naturally—one conversation at a time—much like a gentle daily soap opera. Here it is: an ongoing tale of Liora and Jonathan, and we'll simply see where their conversations, and perhaps their lives, take them.
Episode 1. First Meeting


A mild winter afternoon in a suburban neighborhood somewhere in the Midwest United States. Liora is in her backyard, bundling up her 5-year-old daughter, Mia, in a light jacket. Johnathan, the 28-year-old neighbor is in his backyard raking the leaves. He glances over the wooden fence and smiles.

Episode 2. Growing Attraction


Liora, her red hair loose and catching the sunlight, is in the kitchen preparing snacks when she glances out the window and spots Johnathan. He's in his yard again, raking scattered leaves that barely need attention, pausing every so often to glance toward the fence. God, he's out there again. Is he... waiting? My heart did that little flip when I saw him. Stop it, Liora!
Episode 3. Chrismas Lights


Inside his house, Johnathan sits at his desk, staring at a stubborn PHP script. Next door, Liora finishes plating a batch of fresh-baked cookies, as promised yesterday over the fence. *Liora's secret thought: Okay, this is just delivering cookies like I said I would. Totally casual. But... I want to see if he's single. If he's interested. God, it's been so long since I've felt this flutter.

 Episode 4. Silent Fears


Another plate of cookies? Am I being too obvious? But last night... driving around, talking for hours. His laugh, the way he looks at me. And Mia adores him already. God, it's been so long since I've felt this. But slow, Liora.
Episode 5. New Beginnings


Liora has been a mess—crying on and off, staring out the window at Johnathan’s house. She rehearsed a dozen speeches in her head, finally settled on baking yet another batch of cookies. *Liora's secret thought: He said everything I've been secretly dreaming about since the first fence chat. A family. For keeps. And I just… ran. Like an idiot.

 Episode 6. A Family Born


This is our first real date. Dinner at her house. She's cooking for me. Don't mess it up. Don’t stare too much. Next door, Liora has been in the kitchen since morning. She moved Christmas dinner forward three days because she wants tonight to feel monumental. The house smells like heaven. Her red hair is loosely curled, light makeup, a simple burgundy dress that hugs her figure without trying too hard.
Episode 7. Angels and Unexpected Guests


Suddenly, an anxious knock rattles the front door. Linda bursting in without waiting: You better tell me all about it. I saw him leaving your house this morning. Did you guys… you know. You were talking about being all responsible and waiting for the right time. Liora: (laughing) Yeah, we were waiting for the right time, and last night we shared our first kiss, and then suddenly it was the right time.

 Episode 8. Angels and Unexpected Guests


Christmas is over; the frenzy of gifts and feasts has faded into quiet aftermath.

Inside the house that now belongs to all of them, Liora moves through the kitchen with purposeful energy. She strips the Christmas table runner, packs away the snowman mugs and reindeer napkins, gathers scattered wrapping paper into a trash bag. The tree will stay until after New Year's—she's not ready to let go of every spark of holiday magic just yet.
Episode 9. Memorializing a Miracle


Johnathan: It scares me that things are changing so fast. I want to memorialize these events with a family portrait, you know, to remember all of this, if things change. Liora: Me too. I lay in bed and wonder if I'll wake up, back in my rental house, and this was all just a dream. But don't worry honey, I think things are going to be stable for awhile. The Angels wouldn't give us all this just to take it all away, and I'm not going anywhere.