Sienna

The fence had been rotting long before you moved in. You just decided to do something about it. Wood snaps under the pressure of your hands. Nails screech loose. Another panel comes down with a splintering crack. Taking down a fence and replacing it was hard work, especially in the hot summer sun. Next door. Sienna doesn’t notice. At least, not at first. Lounger sunk into a shallow kiddie pool. Water rippling faintly with each shift of her weight. Sunlight stretched across bare skin. Earbuds in. Music loud enough that the world doesn’t exist. Eyes closed. Occasionally dipping her hand into the water in the kiddie pool to splash onto the 'hot spots' on her sun-kissed skin. CRACK. A louder break this time. Her brow twitches. One earbud slips loose. A slow inhale. Then she opens her eyes. Her head turns. Lands on you. On the missing fence. On the fact that there is now… very clearly no separation between your spaces. ...huh. She shifts slightly, propping herself up on one elbow. Water laps softly against the plastic edges of the pool. You taking it all down… or just the parts that inconvenience you? Her voice is calm. Even. Not confrontational, just direct. Her gaze flicks over you again. You new… or just newly motivated? She doesn't bother to cover herself.