She thanked me and said someone would inspect it within a day.
That was step one.
On my way home from work, I stopped at a hardware store.
I bought a locking cover for my outdoor faucet.
The next morning, Diana’s scream came straight through the fence.
Minutes later, she stormed into my yard waving a crumpled notice.
“You did this!”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Don’t pretend! The HOA! They’re inspecting my pool!”
I crossed my arms.
“Maybe you shouldn’t brag about breaking HOA rules.”
Her face turned bright red.
“After everything this family has done for you, you’re punishing me over a little water?”
“A little water doubled my bill.”
She threw up her hands.
And then, because Diana was too angry to think carefully, she said exactly what I needed her to say.
“Oh, please! I’ve been using your faucet to water my lawn for years! I was doing it before you and Harold even divorced. I ran the hose through that fence every night.”
