"I thought we were going to talk about books," Rick said.

No." Fled quickly paged through a Home Depot catalog, then picked up a Landscape & Lawn Magazine, and turned to a page designated by a post-it marker. The other guys on the sofas turned to the same page in their copies.

"I think this hedger, the Echo model with the 20-plus CC tork, is excellent," said one of the guys.

"Yea," said another, who was in camouflage-imprinted overalls. Fled had ...read more

Fled was excited. His hands shook; his eyes fluttered. "You know that weed wacker? Got it for my birthday? I just got it to travel -- skip -- along the grass for 10 seconds on its own, without me."

Rick looked up from his book. He was sitting on a barka-lounger, the one that used to be in his den, now in his backyard. "That's great."...read more

Rick stood by the curb and watched the kids throw hot dog buns and half empty cups of juice at each other. A neighbor in a clown suit ran across a lawn, chasing, screaming and laughing with the kids. The block party had started; Rick turned to leave.

"Hey, I'm Phil," a man said to Rick, extending his hand. Rick shook it. Phil was wearing a zip-up cashmere sweater and khakis. Rick was in a torn t-shirt and jeans and flip flops.

"Stan and I live down the street...read more