The older man climbed into the cab.
The HOA president pointed at the driveway.
"Just lift that loose slab."
"No."
"It's already broken."
"No."
"Just move it aside."
The homeowner pointed at the orange markings.
"Not there."
The older contractor looked down.
He could see the faint orange paint.
"What utility?"
"Fiber."
The man immediately removed his hand from the control.
The HOA president stared at him.
"You're all being ridiculous."
The homeowner answered.
"Fiber isn't ridiculous."
She looked at the cracked concrete.
"It's residential internet."
"You don't know that."
"It's a subdivision."
"You still don't know."
She threw her hands up.
"Fine. I'll take responsibility."
The older contractor laughed.
"Lady, that's not how utility damage works."
"I said I'll take responsibility."
The homeowner looked at her.
"You're saying that on camera?"
She spun around.
"Stop recording me."
"No."
"This is harassment."
"You came onto my property."
"You are deliberately provoking me."
"No."
He held the phone steady.
"I'm documenting you."
She stepped closer.
"Put it down."
"No."
"Put it down."
"No."
A siren could be heard in the distance.
The HOA president glanced toward the entrance of the subdivision.
"Good."
The homeowner nodded.
"Yes. Good."
That should have ended it.
Police were already coming.
The contractors had stopped.
Neighbors were watching.
The entire argument could have frozen exactly where it was.
But the HOA president looked again at the broken slab.
Then at the orange mark.
Then at the homeowner.
And perhaps because she wanted to prove that his warning had been exaggerated, she made one final demand.
"Lift it."
The older contractor stared at her.
"No."
She pointed.
"The slab is already detached."
"Then you lift it."
The operator stepped between her and the machine.
"Nobody touches anything."
The homeowner exhaled.
Finally.
Then the HOA president did something nobody expected.
She climbed into the cab from the opposite side.
The operator shouted.
"Hey!"
The homeowner ran forward.
"Get out of there!"
The HOA president sat in the seat.
"I've operated farm equipment."
"This isn't farm equipment," the contractor yelled.
She reached for the controls.
The operator climbed onto the side step.
"Shut it down!"
The machine lurched.
The bucket swung.
The homeowner backed away quickly.
Several neighbors shouted.
The HOA president froze.
For half a second, fear crossed her face.
Then embarrassment replaced it.
She tried another control.
The bucket lowered.