"By asking for records?"
She smiled coldly.
"By believing people will stand beside you when things become uncomfortable."
For several seconds, we stared at each other.
Then she adjusted her handbag.
"I'd hate for your family to regret getting involved."
My stomach tightened.
"Is that a threat?"
Vivian laughed.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Then she turned and walked down the steps.
I watched her leave.
Afterward, I wrote down the conversation and told Daniel.
He advised me to preserve the notes and avoid confronting her privately.
I followed that advice.
But I couldn't stop thinking about her final sentence.
I'd hate for your family to regret getting involved.
The special meeting was scheduled for the following Monday.
By then, Eleanor had obtained support from enough homeowners to require the association to address the request under its governing procedures.
Daniel coordinated the formal notice.
A qualified accountant agreed to explain the need for a review without making premature allegations.
Several homeowners offered to speak about the stormwater damage and unexplained expenses.
And Leah suggested that we invite some of the volunteers to our house over the weekend.
Not for a secret meeting.
Not to plan anything improper.
Just a cookout.
We'd spent months discussing invoices, violation letters, and drainage problems.
People were tired.
They needed a chance to sit together, eat good food, and remember that they were neighbors rather than opposing sides in a political argument.
I liked the idea.
Jasmine loved it.
She immediately began planning where everyone would sit.
Leah made a grocery list.
Steaks.
Ribs.
Sausages.
Corn.
Roasted vegetables.
Pasta salad.
Fresh fruit.
And enough drinks to fill two coolers.
Our backyard was perfect for the gathering.
A large oak tree stood near the fence.
The patio had room for a dining table and extra chairs.
And the kitchen opened through wide glass doors, allowing us to move easily between the house and the grill.
We planned to invite eight adults, plus several children who could play in the yard.
Eleanor was one of the guests.
She'd been working tirelessly.
Leah wanted her to enjoy an afternoon where nobody expected her to explain another financial statement.
When I called to invite her, Eleanor sounded touched.
"Caleb, you don't have to do that."
I laughed.
"You're allowed to eat dinner without bringing a binder."
She chuckled.
"That's a dangerous precedent."
I smiled.
"Then consider it an experiment."
She agreed.
But before ending the call, she asked Leah about the menu.
Eleanor had been advised to follow particular dietary restrictions, and she didn't want to make preparing the meal difficult.