He hoped not.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Marcus went to the front door and found Mrs. Alvarez standing on the porch. She was a retired schoolteacher in her late sixties, with silver hair, a blue cardigan, and a canvas grocery bag hanging from one arm.
“Marcus,” she said, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all. Come in.”
She stepped inside, then glanced toward the driveway.
“I saw what happened.”
“I’m sorry you had to witness it.”
“Don’t apologize for someone else’s behavior.”
Marcus smiled faintly.
She held up the grocery bag.
“I made too much cornbread. I thought you might like some.”
“That’s very kind.”
She placed the bag on the kitchen counter and looked at him.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
He considered the question.
“I’m irritated. But I’m all right.”
Mrs. Alvarez nodded.
“That woman has been looking for a fight with someone for months.”
Marcus leaned against the counter.
“Has she?”
“She sent a notice to the Carsons because their grandson parked his pickup in the driveway. Then she complained about the Alvarez family’s holiday decorations.”
“Your family?”
“My brother’s family. They live three streets over. Denise claimed their lights were too bright, even though they were within the rules.”
Marcus shook his head.
“I see.”
“She seems to believe the association is a little kingdom and she’s the queen.”
He gave a small laugh.
Mrs. Alvarez’s expression became serious.
“But what she said to you today was different.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Different how?”
“She wasn’t simply arguing about a car. She spoke as though you didn’t belong here.”
He did not answer.
Mrs. Alvarez sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve been a good neighbor. You helped the Carsons after Mr. Carson’s surgery. You organized that safety meeting for the families. You even fixed the broken latch on the community garden gate when the maintenance company kept delaying.”
“That was just a latch.”
“It was still a kindness.”
Marcus looked toward the window.
“I don’t need everyone to like me. I just want to live here without being treated like a problem.”
Mrs. Alvarez nodded.