Dan’s response was… priceless doesn’t even begin to describe it. He got out of his car slowly and gasped as he saw what was going on.
He yelled, “What the… JIMMY!” and turned around to face my house. “Get out of here, you jerk—”
My porch was as cool as a cucumber when I walked out. “What’s wrong, Dan?”
His angry face was purple. He choked out, “You… you…” and grabbed a trash bag. “I’m going to kill you!”
He stopped moving and looked at something above my head. I smiled. “Dan, do you like my new security cameras?” They get everything. That’s pretty cool, right?”
Dan slouched his shoulders down. He knew he was hurt.
I couldn’t help but feel a little proud as he walked off to start cleaning. “Seems like the other shoe is on the other foot now, Dan?” I yelled.
We didn’t talk, but the way he looked at me told me everything. It wasn’t over yet. Not even close.
As I looked out at my quiet garden, I couldn’t help but wonder if it had all been worth it. As long as the fence stands, it will always remind us of our fight.
The dogs still bark, but it’s not as loud as it used to be. Our little part of the neighborhood is now at a nervous peace.
When I look at Dan while he’s watering his roses, we both quickly look away. Of course, there will never be friendship there. But there is respect, which comes from knowing that both sides will die.
He hasn’t tried to mess up with me since then.
Sometimes you have to use poison to fight poison. Have you ever had neighbors who were so annoying they would do anything to make your life a living hell?
