The letter also invited the board to discuss legitimate issues through counsel.
I read it carefully.
Then signed the authorization.
For the first time, I felt as though the problem was moving away from personal confrontation and toward a process governed by documents.
But Caroline had another weapon.
Public opinion.
The next Canyon Crest newsletter appeared on Friday.
The front page carried her photograph.
She wore a bright blazer and stood beside a decorative stone fountain.
The headline read:
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE
Most of the message concerned the pedestrian project.
Caroline described the planned walkway as a signature improvement that would increase convenience and support property values.
She emphasized how much work the board had completed.
Then she introduced what she called an obstacle.
A small number of individuals associated with neighboring property have refused to cooperate with reasonable community planning.
I read the sentence twice.
She didn't name me.
But the description was unmistakable.
The article continued.
Caroline claimed that the association was being forced to spend additional money protecting its interests.
She urged homeowners to support firm enforcement of neighborhood standards.
And she suggested that allowing one uncooperative property owner to interfere could undermine the value of everyone's investment.
I looked toward the newsletter.
Then at the house.
For a moment, I was amazed by the audacity.
She'd walked into my backyard.
Shouted at my daughter.
Kicked her towel into the pool.
Called police with a misleading report.
Then presented herself to the neighborhood as the person defending community values.
Naomi was visiting when I opened the newsletter.
She read it.
Then laughed without humor.
“She's unbelievable.”
I folded the paper.
“She's trying to make people think I'm stopping something they already paid for.”
Naomi nodded.
“Are you?”
“I'm refusing to surrender private land because she thinks she's entitled to it.”
My sister looked toward the pool.
Then asked, “Would you ever agree to the walkway?”
I considered the question.
“Not as it's currently drawn.”
“Because it crosses the yard?”
“Yes. The path comes too close to the pool wall. It could affect privacy and security.”