All I knew was that my pool was full of garbage, the former HOA president was trying to charge me for cleaning it, and the woman elected to replace her had just appeared with a recording of the entire incident.
The former president tried to recover her confidence.
She straightened her pink blazer, adjusted her oversized sunglasses, and looked directly at the woman holding the phone.
"You have no right to record a private enforcement matter."
The new president didn't move.
"This is a homeowner's backyard, and he invited me here."
The woman in pink looked toward me.
"Of course he did. You've been conspiring against the board for months."
I stared at her.
"The board elected new leadership this morning."
She waved one hand dismissively.
"That election is being challenged."
The new president opened her folder.
"You're entitled to challenge the result through the proper process. That doesn't make you the current president."
The former president's expression hardened.
She pointed toward the floating garbage bags.
"Then perhaps you'd like to explain who will pay for this public-health emergency."
The new president glanced at the pool.
Then back at her.
"You created it."
The woman in pink laughed.
"That's an outrageous accusation."
The new president lifted her phone.
"I watched you."
For several seconds, the former president stared at the device.
Then she stepped toward it.
"Let me see that recording."
The new president took one step back.
"No."
"You're required to share association evidence."
"Not with someone who no longer represents the association."
The former president's mouth tightened.
She turned toward me.
"This is your fault."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"My fault?"
"You're the reason this neighborhood is falling apart."
I looked at the trash floating in my pool.
Then toward the overturned bin.
"I didn't bring any of that into my yard."
She shook her head.
"You wouldn't cooperate. You refused the inspections, questioned the fines, and encouraged people to undermine my authority."
I stared at her.
Then I said something that seemed to surprise her.
"You're right."
The new president glanced toward me.
So did the woman in pink.
I continued.
"I questioned the fines. I asked for the inspection reports. And I refused to pay for work nobody could demonstrate was necessary."
The former president lifted her chin.
"Exactly."
I took a slow breath.
"None of that gave you permission to dump garbage into my pool."
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
I looked directly at her.