Arthur smiled again.

"We will."

They walked away.

I watched their SUV disappear down the street.

Then I looked at my wall.

For the first time, I wondered why the HOA cared so much about a concrete structure sitting behind my house.

It wasn't visible from the main entrance.

It wasn't blocking the road.

It wasn't harming anyone.

It wasn't even particularly large.

So why had they suddenly decided it had to disappear?

I didn't know the answer yet.

But I knew one thing.

I wasn't tearing it down.

The Meeting

The emergency HOA meeting was held the following Tuesday.

About forty homeowners showed up.

Arthur sat at the front beside Linda and three other board members.

I sat in the second row.

Arthur began with a presentation about "community standards."

There were pictures of lawns.

Pictures of flower beds.

Pictures of fences.

Then, finally, my wall appeared on the screen.

A few people whispered.

Arthur pointed at it.

"As you can see, this structure is inconsistent with the visual standards of the community."

I raised my hand.

Arthur ignored me.

He continued.

"Structures of this type can negatively affect property values."

I raised my hand again.

Still nothing.

Finally, I stood.

"How many properties have flooded because of my wall?"

Arthur paused.

"That's irrelevant."

"How many?"

He looked uncomfortable.

Linda interrupted.

"The board isn't here to conduct an engineering hearing."

"No," I said. "You're here to make me remove flood protection."

A woman near the back spoke up.

"Frank, hasn't the wall caused water to drain toward the street?"

I turned.

"No. The wall has drainage channels. The water goes through them and into the existing storm system."

Arthur immediately said, "That's not verified."

"It is."

"By whom?"

"Me."

Someone laughed.

Arthur smiled.

"Frank, with respect, you're not a licensed municipal drainage engineer."