My Neighbor Borrowed My Backyard for One Afternoon – The Next Morning, My Yard Had a Huge Hole and My Neighbor Was Gone

I imagined a folding table, a few lawn chairs, paper plates, and a birthday cake. I had no reason to think anything else would happen.

"All right," I said. "Just keep people away from the flower beds."

"Absolutely."

"And no one goes inside my house."

"Of course not."

He looked relieved.

"Thank you," he said. "Seriously. You're saving me."

I went to the kitchen drawer and took out the spare key to the side gate.

When I handed it to him, he closed his fingers around it at once.

"I'll return it Sunday morning," he promised.

He nodded.

"Everything will be clean."

I watched him cross the lawn toward his house. He looked back once and raised the key in a small wave.

At the time, I remember feeling pleased with myself.

I thought I had done something kind.