The Smiles of Greenfield Pines

WARNING. The smiles in Greenfield Pines never fade. I moved in last Tuesday and noticed

it immediately. Every neighbor waving, grinning, silent as ghosts. No cars honking.

No dogs barking. Just smiles. I cried when I unpacked my late mother's photos.

Within seconds, my doorbell rang. All of them standing there, still smiling,

holding their faces like masks were glued on. One whispered through clenched teeth:

stop. That night I heard screaming from three houses down. Someone must have

laughed too loud. By morning, that house was empty, door wide open, family photos still

on the walls. I smile now too. My face hurts. But I saw what happens to the sad ones.