“Are you finishing?”
Naomi followed her gaze.
The driveway still had leaves.
She laughed.
“No.”
“Good.”
Tracy turned off the extension cord at the outlet.
“I'll make coffee.”
Naomi let her.
By noon, the neighborhood app had exploded.
Someone had recorded Marjorie being placed in handcuffs from the sidewalk.
The video lacked everything before.
Caption:
HOA PRESIDENT ARRESTED AT CARTER HOUSE
Comments.
What happened?
Did Naomi attack her?
No, Marjorie attacked Naomi.
Was this about landscaping?
Noise.
Trespassing.
Someone claimed Naomi had been playing loud music at six a.m.
False.
Someone else said police had been called three times previously.
False.
Another said Marjorie had entered with a warrant.
Absurd.
Naomi opened the app once.
Closed it.
Then received an email from the HOA vice president.
Ms. Carter, we are aware of an incident involving President Vale and are gathering information. Please preserve all relevant materials.
Naomi replied:
Already preserved. Police have copies.
Nothing more.
At four that afternoon, her sister Camille arrived.
Camille entered without knocking.
Family privilege.
Then immediately corrected herself.
“Wait.”
She walked back outside.
Closed the door.
Knocked.
Naomi stared through the glass.
Then laughed.
She opened.
“You’re stupid.”
Camille hugged her carefully.
“I’m demonstrating consent.”
“Get in here.”
Camille looked at the bruise.
Her humor disappeared.
“She actually hit you.”
“Yes.”
“I'm going to jail.”
“No.”
“I’m serious.”
“No.”
“She put her hands on you.”
“Police already handled it.”
Camille walked into the kitchen.
“I hate her.”
“You've never met her.”
“Don't need to.”
Naomi sighed.
Camille turned.
“You're doing that thing.”
“What thing?”
“Being reasonable because everybody else is mad.”
“I’m not being reasonable.”
“You are.”
Naomi opened the refrigerator.
“Want water?”
“No.”
“Wine?”
“Yes.”
Naomi poured two glasses.
They sat.
Camille asked:
“What happened before?”
Naomi told her.
Everything.
The gate.
Notice.
Unapproved rule.
Outlet.
Strike.
Shove.
Call.
Camera.
Camille listened.
Then stopped her.
“Back up.”
“What?”
“Unapproved rule.”
Naomi nodded.
“Proposal from Tuesday.”
“Did it pass?”
“No.”
“How do you know?”
“Minutes.”
“And she gave you a violation anyway?”
“Yes.”
Camille stared.
“That sounds like a bigger problem.”
Naomi took a sip.
“Maybe.”
“You going to check?”
“No.”
Camille laughed.
Naomi looked at her.
“What?”
“You absolutely are.”