“YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!”
She turned toward me.
“You can’t do this!”
For two years, I had heard that tone used against me.
Demanding.
Certain.
As though her feelings were law.
I stayed calm.
“I didn’t pour concrete into anyone’s property.”
“You’re trying to destroy our business.”
“No.”
“You are!”
Then I told her something that made her expression collapse.
“I sent the video to local media.”
Her eyes widened.
“No.”
“The footage clearly shows your husband’s company logo.”
“Claire.”
“And the truck.”
“Please.”
“And you explaining exactly why you wanted the pool destroyed.”
Suddenly she stepped toward me.
“Anything but that.”
There it was.
Not regret about my children.
Not regret about Steve.
Not regret about trespassing.
Fear of consequences.
“How could you do this to me?”
I looked at her.
Then said:
“I finally listened to something you taught me.”
She stared.
“People who ignore boundaries eventually discover consequences.”
For the first time since Marlene had become my neighbor—
she had nothing to say.
