Anthony closed his eyes.
He had repeatedly told Victoria no.
He'd secured the gate.
He'd contacted the board.
And he'd provided written notice through counsel.
Yet she continued treating the pool as an amenity she could offer to other people.
Elaine apologized.
Anthony appreciated it.
But he also wanted to know how the association intended to prevent another unauthorized gathering.
She explained that the board was consulting counsel and reviewing the event records.
Anthony nodded.
Then asked for confirmation in writing.
He didn't want to rely on another verbal promise.
Elaine agreed.
Before ending the call, she said something that made him pause.
"Anthony, I don't think Victoria is telling the other guests that the owner hasn't agreed."
He looked toward the backyard.
"Then they're walking into a situation they don't understand."
Elaine was quiet.
"Yes."
Anthony took a slow breath.
The thought frightened him more than the irritation of finding strangers in his pool.
People believed they were attending an authorized event.
Someone could get hurt.
And the person with actual responsibility for the property hadn't agreed to host them.
Victoria received the board's warning on Friday evening.
The association's attorney advised that the event couldn't proceed at Anthony's home without his explicit consent and appropriate arrangements.
The management company withdrew its support.
Several board members requested cancellation.
Victoria became furious.
She stood in her kitchen reading the email while Douglas prepared dinner.
"These people are impossible."
Her husband looked up.
"What's happened now?"
"Elaine is trying to cancel the wellness event."
Douglas frowned.
"At Anthony's pool?"
"Yes."
He sighed.
"Victoria, he said you couldn't use it."
She looked at him.
"You've used it."
Douglas lowered his eyes.
"That was before I realized he was serious."
Victoria stared.
"Everybody's so frightened of upsetting one young homeowner."
Her husband set down the knife he was holding.
"He's the owner."
She threw up her hands.
"And I'm the HOA president."
Douglas looked tired.
For several seconds, he didn't answer.
Then said quietly.
"That doesn't make his pool yours."
Victoria glared.
"You sound like Elaine."
He returned to preparing dinner.
But the conversation stayed with him.
He'd enjoyed using the pool.
He'd accepted Victoria's assurances.
And he had treated Anthony's discomfort as an overreaction.
Now he was beginning to realize that his own convenience had contributed to the problem.
Victoria, however, had already collected money and promised guests a luxury afternoon.
She didn't want to cancel.
Not because cancellation was impossible.
But because admitting she lacked permission would expose the promises she'd made.