"I will bankrupt you."
I smiled.
"Did the camera get that?"
Her face changed.
She realized what she'd done.
Then she turned around.
"Come on, Jerry."
She stormed away.
Tony looked at me.
"She seems nice."
"She's a national treasure."
The fence went up.
And for the first time, my backyard felt like mine.
But Patty had just made a mistake.
She had threatened me on camera.
And I was keeping everything.
The Fall
Sunday morning was quiet.
I put Atlas's service vest on him.
We went for a walk.
Near the community park, Patty stepped onto the sidewalk.
She blocked our path.
"Move," I said.
"This sidewalk is for residents in good standing."
"I own a house here."
"You're not in good standing."
"Move."
She smiled.
"Make me."
I knew immediately what she wanted.
A reaction.
I kept my voice calm.
"Atlas. Sit."
Atlas sat.
Patty stared at him.
Then she screamed.
"He's attacking me!"
Atlas didn't move.
She lunged forward.
She threw herself onto the grass.
Then she screamed louder.
"HELP!"
Neighbors came running.
"He bit me!"
I froze.
Atlas hadn't moved an inch.
Patty clutched her ankle.
"Call the police!"
Sirens appeared minutes later.