I grew up next to Laura Hillman and her daughter Kate since my family moved in when I was in ninth grade. Before I really met a single person in high school, Ms. Hillman was my closest friend, and remained so even up till I left for college. I was a latchkey kid -- Mom and Dad both worked most of the day, so when I'd come home, I would have the house to myself. Ms. Hillman would always come over. We'd talk about school, about the guys in my class, and anything else that came up. I wouldn't have survived high school if it wasn't for the kindness of my closest neighbor.
