"This pool is subject to community standards."
"This is my private pool."
Patricia smiled.
"And I'm the HOA president."
Marcus stared at her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then a voice came from behind the landscaping wall.
"Ma'am."
Patricia turned.
A man wearing a dark blue technician's shirt stepped into view carrying a testing kit, a clipboard, and a small digital meter.
He looked directly at her.
"Climb out immediately."
Patricia blinked.
"What?"
The technician walked toward the pool.
"Ma'am, climb out immediately—this pool was chemically treated this morning and isn't cleared for swimming yet."
The smile disappeared from Patricia's face.
Marcus looked at the technician.
"You heard him."
Patricia slowly looked down at the water.
"What do you mean, chemically treated?"
The technician held up the laminated notice.
"The circulation system was serviced, the water chemistry was adjusted, and the pool was placed under a temporary swimming restriction. The notice is posted at the equipment panel and on the pool gate."
Patricia looked toward the broken gate.
There was a second yellow notice hanging from it.
Her face went pale.
Marcus folded his arms.
"Now get out."
For the first time that morning, Patricia looked uncertain.
But she didn't move.
"I didn't know."
"You didn't ask."
"I thought—"
"You broke through a locked gate."
"I thought the HOA had access."
"You didn't have access."
The technician stepped closer.
"Ma'am, please exit the water."
Patricia looked from him to Marcus.
Then she slowly climbed out.
Water ran from her swimsuit onto the stone patio.
She stood there dripping, humiliated.
Marcus pointed toward the towel.
"Get your things."
Patricia grabbed her sunglasses.
"You are going to regret this."
Marcus looked at the broken lock.
"No, Patricia."
He looked her directly in the eyes.
"I think you are."
Patricia wrapped the towel around herself.
She picked up her bag.
Then she stopped.
"You think you can embarrass me in front of some pool guy?"
The technician frowned.
"I'm licensed."
Patricia ignored him.
"You've been difficult since the day you moved here."
Marcus said nothing.
"You refuse to cooperate with the neighborhood."
Marcus remained silent.
"You think because you have money and a nice house, you're above everyone else."
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
"Then what?"
"I think my property is my property."
Patricia's jaw tightened.
"This isn't over."
Marcus glanced at the broken lock.
"It was over before you got in the water."
Patricia turned and walked toward the side gate.
She stopped before leaving.
"You'll hear from the board."
Marcus watched her disappear.
Then he looked at the technician.
The technician exhaled.
"That went better than I expected."
Marcus almost laughed.
"She broke into my backyard before breakfast."
"Yeah."
The technician looked toward the pool.
"That's definitely not how I wanted my morning to go."
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"What exactly did you put in the water?"
The technician gave him a reassuring smile.
"Nothing dangerous when handled correctly. But the chemistry needs time to stabilize. That's why we posted the closure."
Marcus nodded.
"Good."