On the other side, in her diary, modestly disguised as a battered housekeeping notebook, Magnolia wrote meticulous notes. She noted times, dates, and even descriptions of sneaker prints left in her garden and porch. Those blue eyes were X-ray-like in their precision.
A less patient neighbor might have exploded with anger long ago, but she quietly accumulated details like puzzle pieces. She was gathering ingredients for her special once-in-a-lifetime recipe. Her pen scratched late into the night.