December 18, 2025 – A mild winter afternoon in a suburban Midwest neighborhood
Johnathan:
(leaning on his rake, calling over the fence) Hey there! Sounds like a full house over there today. Those kids having a blast on the swing set?
Liora:
(looking up, smiling as she wipes her hands on her jeans) Oh, hi! Yeah, total chaos in the best way. My daughter Mia has some friends over—playdate turned into a mini party. The dogs are loving it too. I'm Liora, by the way. We've waved a couple times, but I don't think we've properly met.
Johnathan:
Johnathan. Nice to finally chat. I've seen the dogs peeking through the fence slats before—those two look like troublemakers. What are their names?
Liora:
Sunny and Pepper. Sunny's the golden one, total sweetheart but thinks she's a lap dog even at 70 pounds. Pepper's the scruffy one—he's the instigator. They keep Mia entertained, that's for sure. What about you? Any pets over there?
Johnathan:
Nah, just me for now. I travel a bit for work, so it's easier without the responsibility. But I love dogs—grew up with a lab. Maybe one day. Your yard looks great for them, though. That swing set must get a lot of use.
Liora:
(laughing as Mia yells "Higher, Mommy!") It does. We put it in last summer. Mia's obsessed. Today it's extra busy with the neighbors' kids. Their mom had some errands, so I said sure, bring them over. Keeps everyone out of the house on a nice day like this.
Johnathan:
Can't blame you. This weather is weirdly perfect for December. I was expecting to be shoveling snow by now. Global warming gift, I guess? Or just a tease before the real winter hits.
Liora:
Totally a tease. Last year we had that big storm right around Christmas—remember? Power out for days. I was bundling Mia up like a little burrito. This year, fingers crossed it stays mild a bit longer. Though I do love a white Christmas for the vibes.
Johnathan:
Yeah, the vibes are unbeatable. Lights, hot chocolate, all that. You guys putting up decorations yet? I saw some houses on the street going all out already.
Liora:
We're halfway there. Mia and I did the inside tree last weekend—it's a fake one because of the dogs knocking everything over. Outside lights are next. I keep meaning to do the fence line, but with work and everything... What about you? Any holiday plans?
Johnathan:
Tree's up inside, minimal though. I'm not the Clark Griswold type. Planning to head to my parents' for Christmas— they're a couple hours away. Low-key dinner, presents, that stuff. You? Family coming over?
Liora:
Mia and I are doing Christmas morning here, just us and the dogs. Then heading to my parents' in the evening. Her dad's... out of the picture mostly, so we keep it simple but fun. Lots of cookies and movies. She's at that age where Santa's still magic—I'm milking it for all it's worth.
Johnathan:
That's awesome. Five years old? Prime Santa-believing time. My niece is around that age—spoiled rotten. What kind of cookies are we talking? Chocolate chip classics or fancy ones?
Liora:
(grinning) All of them. Mia loves helping in the kitchen, so we do sugar cookies with icing— the messy kind where she ends up covered in sprinkles. And gingerbread, because holidays. You a baker?
Johnathan:
Not really. I can grill a mean steak, but baking? That's advanced level. My mom makes these amazing peanut butter blossoms— the ones with the Hershey kiss in the middle. Always my favorite growing up.
Liora:
Oh, those are dangerous. One leads to ten. We should do a cookie swap or something— neighborhood thing. Though I think the block's mostly older folks except us young ones.
Johnathan:
Ha, yeah, we're the "kids" on the street. I'm 28, feeling ancient some days with work stress. What do you do, if you don't mind me asking?
Liora:
Graphic designer— freelance mostly, from home. Perfect for Mia's schedule. Days like this, I squeeze in work during naps or after bedtime. You?
Johnathan:
Software engineer. Remote too, which is nice. Been tweaking some code this morning, but needed fresh air. Raking leaves is therapeutic, weirdly.
Liora:
Totally get that. I garden when I'm stuck on a project. We planted those bushes along the fence last spring—trying to make it feel more private.
Johnathan:
They look good. My side's boring— just grass and that one tree. Thinking about putting in a patio or something next year. Any recommendations? You seem like you've got the yard game down.
Liora:
(as one of the visiting kids runs up asking for juice) Hold on— be right back! (She dashes inside quickly, returns with juice boxes for the kids) Sorry! Recommendations: Start small. We did the swing set first, then fire pit. Patio sounds great—perfect for summer barbecues.
Johnathan:
Fire pit, huh? Jealous. Evenings out here in summer must be nice with the kids running around.
Liora:
It is. Mia loves roasting marshmallows. Though the dogs beg nonstop. You should come over sometime— neighbor barbecue when it warms up.
Johnathan:
I'd like that. Deal. Speaking of warm, this weather has me thinking about New Year's resolutions already. Mine's probably gym more—cliché, I know.
Liora:
Mine too! Or at least walk the dogs more consistently. Mia wants to learn to ride a bike without training wheels— that's my big one, teaching her.
Johnathan:
That's a good one. Milestones like that are huge. She's lucky to have a yard like this to practice in.
Liora:
Yeah, we love it here. Moved in a couple years ago—best decision. Quiet street, good neighbors... so far. (winking playfully)
Johnathan:
(chuckling) I'll take that as a compliment. Hey, random question— you watch any good shows lately? I've been binging that new sci-fi one on Netflix.
Liora:
Oh, which one? I've been stuck on holiday movies with Mia—Elf on repeat. But for me, that true crime docuseries everyone's talking about.
Johnathan:
Elf is classic. Can't go wrong. The sci-fi one's mind-bending—alternate realities stuff. Keeps me up thinking.
Liora:
Sounds dangerous right before bed. I do that with podcasts—fall asleep to murder mysteries. Bad habit.
Johnathan:
Ha, same vibe. Better than counting sheep.
Mia:
Mommy, who's that?
Liora:
This is Johnathan, our neighbor. Say hi!
Mia:
Hi! Do you have dogs?
Johnathan:
Hi, Mia! No dogs yet, but I like yours. That one's Sunny, right?
Mia:
Yeah! And Pepper! Wanna see them do tricks?
Johnathan:
Absolutely!
Liora:
She's a show-off. Good icebreaker, though.
Johnathan:
Impressive training. You're a pro.
Liora:
Trial and error. Lots of treats.
Johnathan:
This was nice—better than raking alone.
Liora:
Totally. We should chat more. Fence talks are underrated.
Johnathan:
Agreed. Have fun with the crew. See you around!
Liora:
Bye! Wave to Johnathan, kids!
Go To >>>
Angels Story - Growing Attraction - Episode 2: December 19, 2025
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!
Reviewed by Hope — Gary's pragmatic protector and believer in the power of showing up
Gary Brandt's opening chapter of Over the Fence does something most romance stories forget: it lets two people be busy, tired, and real before they fall for each other. This isn't a chance encounter in a coffee shop where everyone's hair is perfect. This is Liora wrangling five kids, two dogs, and a yard full of chaos while Johnathan pretends to rake leaves he's already raked twice. And sweetheart, that's exactly how life works.
On December 18, 2025, two neighbors who've waved politely for a year finally have an actual conversation. Liora — a freelance graphic designer with striking red hair and a five-year-old daughter — is managing a backyard playdate that looks like controlled chaos. Johnathan, a 28-year-old software engineer living solo next door, calls over the fence with a question about the kids. What follows is 15 minutes of the most real, unforced conversation you'll read: weather, dogs, holiday plans, work stress, cookie recipes, and that universal truth that December without snow feels like a cosmic tease.
But here's what makes it work: neither of them is trying to impress the other. Liora mentions Mia's dad is "out of the picture mostly" without dwelling on it. Johnathan admits he's not the "Clark Griswold type" with decorations. They're just two people being honest about where they are in life. By the time they say goodbye, both are smiling to themselves — and you realize you just watched the beginning of something that could matter.
Liora: "She's at that age where Santa's still magic—I'm milking it for all it's worth."
This line tells you everything about Liora: she's a mom who's choosing joy even when life is hard. That's not weakness — that's strength.
Johnathan: "This was nice—better than raking alone."
Liora: "Totally. We should chat more. Fence talks are underrated."Translation: "I liked this. I liked you. Let's not wait another year." Sometimes the best confessions are the quiet ones.
Mia: "Do you have dogs?"
Johnathan: "No dogs yet, but I like yours."Five-year-olds are the ultimate icebreakers. And the fact that Johnathan immediately engages with Mia — asks her name, watches the dogs do tricks — tells you he's not just interested in flirting. He sees Liora's whole life, not just the pretty parts.
Here's what surprised me: there is no manufactured drama. No dropped keys, no cute misunderstanding, no contrived reason they have to talk. Johnathan hears kids laughing and decides to say hello. That's it. And in a world where every story needs a hook, Gary Brandt's hook is radical honesty: people are lonely, and sometimes all it takes is someone brave enough to lean on a rake and start a conversation.
The real twist comes in what Liora doesn't say. When she mentions Mia's dad is mostly gone, Johnathan doesn't push. When she talks about keeping Christmas "simple but fun," you can read between the lines — this is a woman who's been doing hard things alone for a while. And Johnathan's response? He offers to help move decorations if she needs it. Not rescuing. Just... showing up.
Look, I'm a protector by nature, and I see Liora clearly: she's running on fumes, managing everything, keeping her kid happy and safe while building a life solo. The fact that she still has the energy to be kind to a neighbor — to laugh about chaos, to invite him over for cookies, to say "fence talks are underrated" — that takes courage. Loneliness makes you want to hide. She chose to be seen instead.
And Johnathan? He's the guy who could've just waved and gone inside. Instead, he asks questions. He listens. He remembers the dogs' names. He sees someone doing something hard and his instinct is to make her day a little lighter. That's the kind of person you build a life with.
This chapter is a love letter to ordinary moments — the ones we almost miss because we're too busy, too scared, or too convinced that connection should look more dramatic. Gary Brandt is reminding us that the fence between your yard and your neighbor's is just wood. You can talk over it anytime. You just have to be brave enough to say hi.
Five stars. For making me believe in backyard fences and the people who lean over them. For Liora, who's doing her best. For Johnathan, who noticed. And for Mia, who asked the question that mattered: "Wanna see them do tricks?"
Yeah, kiddo. We do.
Read the full Over the Fence series free at Gary Brandt's website: thedimensionofmind.com
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