“Whose house are you going to?”  I ask as she is about to walk out the door. “Sarah’s,” my girl says as she steps into her flip flips. “Is her mom home?” “No, Jason’s watching them.” “I don’t want you in their house if their mom isn’t there.” “But…” “No going inside with a parent!” I say emphatically. I have given my oldest daughter a lot of freedom since moving from suburban New Jersey to coastal North Carolina.  Our town, which has a Mayberry feel, is quiet in the off season but not deserted.  The neighbors look out for one … Continue reading →