A small black camera had been mounted on the wall.
It pointed directly toward my workbench.
My father's workbench.
I hadn't installed it.
Karen had.
I took a photograph.
Then another.
I didn't touch the camera.
I didn't confront her.
Instead, I closed the garage door.
For the first time since this started, I wasn't trying to convince Karen she was wrong.
I was starting to document that she was wrong.
The First Notice
Three days later, I received my first HOA violation notice.
The envelope was thick.
Inside was a formal letter accusing me of "obstructing temporary community operations."
I read it twice.
Then I laughed.
They were fining me for objecting to their use of my garage.
The amount was $250.
The notice gave me ten days to comply.
I called Thomas.
He told me not to pay.
"Don't respond emotionally," he said. "Keep everything."
So I did.
I created a folder.
I labeled it:
MAPLE RIDGE — PROPERTY ACCESS
Inside went everything.
The notice.
Photographs.
Emails.
Copies of the declaration.
My deed.
My conversations with Karen.
Every date.
Every time.
Every detail.
I also started keeping a daily log.
Tuesday, 3:14 p.m. — discovered SUV.
Tuesday, 3:22 p.m. — called Karen.
Wednesday, 8:40 a.m. — HOA office.
Wednesday, 9:15 a.m. — requested removal.
Thursday — vehicle still present.
Friday — camera discovered.
Saturday — violation notice received.
I didn't know then how important that notebook would become.
That weekend, my neighbor Mike stopped me while I was getting the mail.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
He looked toward my house.
"I heard about Karen."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What did you hear?"
"That you're refusing to cooperate."
I smiled.
"Cooperate with what?"
He hesitated.
"The garage thing."
"Did Karen tell you?"
"She told several people."
That bothered me.
"What exactly did she say?"
Mike shrugged.
"That you were being difficult."
I looked down the street.
Karen's house was three doors away.
Her curtains were open.
I could see her standing near the window.
Watching us.
Mike lowered his voice.
"Daniel, just be careful."
"Why?"
"Because Karen doesn't like being challenged."
I almost laughed.
"I don't care whether she likes me."
Mike nodded.