"Yes."
"And they falsely accused your service animal of assault."
"Yes."
Saul leaned back.
"Mike, you don't have an HOA problem."
"What do I have?"
"You have a federal civil-rights case."
He reached into a drawer.
"I want you to attend the next hearing."
He handed me a document.
"Offer them one final chance."
"What if they refuse?"
Saul smiled.
"Then they make the case for us."
We Don't Negotiate With Terrorists
The hearing room was packed.
Patty sat behind the board table.
She looked triumphant.
I presented Saul's settlement offer.
It was reasonable.
I would pay legitimate fines.
I would cooperate with reasonable community rules.
In return, the HOA would recognize Atlas as a protected service animal and stop harassing me.
Jerry, one of the board members, looked at the document.
"Maybe we should show this to the HOA attorney."
Patty snatched it away.
"No."
She looked at me.
"You expect us to negotiate with you?"
"I'm asking for a reasonable accommodation."
She laughed.
Then she tore the document in half.
"We don't negotiate with terrorists."
The room went silent.
She tore it again.
"Request denied."
I looked at the pieces on the floor.
Then I looked at Patty.
"Is that your final decision?"
"For the record?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"For the record."
I stood.
"Thank you."
I walked out.
Saul was waiting in the parking lot.
He looked at me.
"She said it?"