Trevor laughed.

"You can't talk to my mom like that."

"Your mom is a volunteer."

His smile disappeared.

"She runs this place."

"No," I said. "She doesn't."

Vivian's face reddened.

"You'll be hearing from the board."

"Good."

She stormed toward her BMW.

Trevor lingered.

He took a photograph of my electrical meter.

Then my license plate.

"You have no idea who you're messing with," he said.

I looked him directly in the eye.

"You're about to learn about trespassing laws if you don't leave."

He laughed.

"We'll see."

I should have known that was a promise.

Retaliation

That evening, I received a call from city code enforcement.

"Mr. Rodriguez, we've received a complaint about unlicensed electrical work at your address."

My stomach tightened.

"What kind of complaint?"

"Anonymous. Someone reported unauthorized electrical modifications."

I was an electrician.

Everything I'd done was legal.

Still, an inspector arrived Monday morning and spent nearly an hour examining my work.

Finally, he smiled.

"Everything looks perfect."

"Can I ask who reported me?"

"Anonymous."

He hesitated.

"But between you and me, this is the third complaint we've received about your address in two weeks."

Three complaints.

I'd barely been there a month.

Someone wasn't simply harassing me.

Someone was building a campaign against me.

And I knew exactly who.

The violation notices continued.

Holiday decorations.

Vehicle modifications.