"You're kidding."
"Nope."
The war Patty started had just become everybody's bill.
The Final Reckoning
Every homeowner received a special assessment.
Thousands of dollars.
The clubhouse meeting was packed.
People who had once supported Patty now demanded answers.
One man stood.
"You did this!"
Patty pointed at me.
"He's the one who sued!"
I stood.
"I didn't want to sue."
The room became quiet.
"I asked for accommodation."
I held up the original request.
"I offered compromise."
Then I looked at Jerry.
"Tell them what happened."
Jerry stood.
His voice shook.
"She tore it up."
Silence.
"What did she say?"
Jerry looked down.
"She said they don't negotiate with terrorists."
The room erupted.
Patty tried to defend herself.
But nobody listened.
Then the trustee spoke.
"The association can pursue Ms. Pringle personally for breach of fiduciary duty."
The room went silent.
A woman raised her hand.
"Do it."
Another followed.
"Do it."
Then another.
Soon, every hand was raised.
Even Jerry's.
Patty looked around.
For the first time, there was nobody left on her side.
The House Across the Street
Patty's house went on the market.
Nobody wanted it.
The HOA was bankrupt.
The neighborhood was under federal scrutiny.
The property had become infamous.
Eventually, she accepted a cash offer.