Behind the Fence

---

My dream came true. My name is on the spine of a novella.

In truth, I began the story a few months before. I traveled back to my hometown and drove around my old neighborhood, remembering incidents from my childhood. As I passed by Mr. Deacy's house, I recalled how kind he was to all of us; children in the neighborhood regularly stopped by when he sat on his front step, and he listened. He listened to our tales of the day, good or bad. He offered Cokes, candy bars, and peanuts sitting out for anyone who needed refreshments from the school bus.

I drove down the road and saw where our friend Brian lived. His house was the coolest in the neighborhood. He had a basement for a teenage lounge with a spiral staircase. My brother spent many hours listening to rock music and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Around the corner, my best friend Adryne lived behind Mr. Deacy, and I secretly climbed his fence to shorten my trip. Her older sister's bedroom was in the basement, and she and I played there many times, her sister oblivious to our imaginary play.

At the edge of our neighborhood, the boys had a dirt track next to a creek where they gathered regularly and raced their BMX bikes. This was unusual to most neighborhoods, I thought. How idyllic. Adryne and I spent one Saturday when we were about twelve walking the creek for hours. My mother was livid because we came back past dark. But what a day that was for us.

While thinking back to those days, I told my husband about these adventures. While laughing, almost to tears, I realized what a unique neighborhood that shaped who I am today. My mind drifted, and I saw in my mind's eye my brother and his two closest friends riding their bikes down our road. Thus, Over Mr. Deacy's Fence became a story.

---

The corner of Lowery Drive and Pope Drive in Hueytown, Alabama. Photograph by Alexandra Love, 2022.