At the time, he assumed she was making a harmless joke.
He would eventually discover that her warning came from experience.
Cynthia Vale had been HOA president for almost four years when Andre moved into Willowcrest.
She was attractive, polished, and extraordinarily conscious of her status.
Her blonde hair fell neatly around her shoulders, and she favored expensive clothing, fashionable jewelry, and precisely organized social gatherings.
She had previously worked in property marketing and residential event management.
Those experiences made her an effective public speaker.
She knew how to make a project sound desirable.
How to convince people that an ordinary improvement represented a major increase in property value.
And how to persuade residents that a particular idea needed immediate approval.
Many homeowners appreciated her energy.
She organized seasonal decorations, hired landscapers, and arranged holiday events that made the neighborhood feel lively.
But several board members had become uncomfortable with her leadership style.
Cynthia disliked questions.
She particularly disliked questions concerning money.
When Ruth requested additional supporting invoices for a landscaping project, Cynthia accused her of being unnecessarily suspicious.
When another director wanted a second proposal for clubhouse renovations, Cynthia complained that the board lacked vision.
And when homeowners challenged enforcement notices, she sometimes described them as troublemakers rather than examining whether the notices were justified.
Andre noticed some of that behavior during his first HOA meeting.
But he didn't become involved.
He had work to do.
He paid his assessments.
And his property complied with the relevant rules.
He assumed Cynthia would leave him alone.
That assumption lasted until she saw his pool.
The first conversation occurred during a neighborhood summer social.
Andre was standing near the clubhouse entrance when Cynthia approached with a broad smile.
"Mr. Walker, I've heard wonderful things about your backyard."
He looked surprised.
"Have you?"
"That magnificent swimming pool."
Andre smiled politely.
"It's nice."
She gestured toward the neighborhood.
"You know, we're considering several ways to improve recreational opportunities for our residents."
"Sounds good."
Her smile widened.
"I thought perhaps your pool could become part of our community wellness initiative."
Andre frowned.
"My pool?"
"Exactly. Swimming lessons, water exercise sessions, maybe private gatherings for our premium resident program."
He stared.
For a moment, he thought she was joking.
Then he realized she was serious.
"Cynthia, I appreciate the idea, but I'm not interested in opening my backyard to public or HOA-sponsored events."
Her smile weakened.
"Not even occasionally?"
"No."
She laughed softly.
"You're making a decision before you've heard the benefits."
Andre remained pleasant.
"I'm sure you have a good presentation. But I'm not looking to run a recreational business from my home."