My neighbor insisted I remove my apple tree—then one morning, I woke up to my entire yard buried in apples.

part of something larger.

Ryan stayed inside for most of the afternoon.

I did not invite him, but I did not ask anyone to exclude him either.

Near the end of the celebration, two children carried a paper plate to his front door. A slice of apple pie sat on it beside a cup of cider.

Ryan opened the door and looked at the children.

Then he looked across the continue reading …