"Okay."
"I heard about your case."
Marcus sighed.
"There's a lot of misinformation."
"I know."
"Then why are you calling?"
"Because I found something."
Marcus sat up.
"What?"
"My HOA has a similar agreement."
His expression changed.
"With Horizon?"
"Yes."
"Did you give permission?"
"No."
"Did your board?"
"I don't think so."
Marcus was quiet.
"Send it to your attorney."
"I don't have one."
"Get one."
"I can't affordโ"
"Then contact legal aid or your state bar referral service."
She was silent.
"Mr. Reed?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think I should lock my gate?"
Marcus smiled.
"If you don't want someone entering your property, yes."
She laughed nervously.
"Okay."
"Just make sure you document everything."
"I will."
After the call, Marcus sat outside for a long time.
He realized something.
The gate had become bigger than his backyard.
It had become a question.
Who gets to decide?
Who gets access?
Who has authority?
Who benefits?
And what happens when the person with the clipboard is wrong?
The following month, three more homeowners joined the lawsuit.
Then seven.
Then twelve.
The court ordered mediation.
Horizon arrived with six attorneys.
The HOA arrived with three.
Marcus sat at one end of the conference table beside Daniel.
Patricia was not there.
Neither was her brother.
The mediator began.
"We're here to resolve this dispute."
Marcus listened.
Horizon offered a settlement.
The amount was significant.
Daniel leaned toward him.
"You don't have to accept."
Marcus looked at the document.
"What do they want?"
"In exchange for payment, you'd sign a permanent access agreement."
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
Daniel nodded.
"That's what I thought."
The mediator asked why.
Marcus looked across the table.
"Because you're still asking for something you don't have the right to."
One of Horizon's attorneys responded.
"We're offering compensation."
"For access to my property."
"Yes."
"Then you're asking to buy something that isn't for sale."
The attorney paused.
Marcus continued.
"I don't want your money."
"Then what do you want?"
Marcus looked around the room.
"I want the agreement voided."
"And?"
"I want the homeowners to receive written confirmation that their private property remains private."
"And Horizon?"
"No access without written consent."
The attorney sighed.
"That's essentially what the law already says."
Marcus nodded.
"Then put it in writing."