The HOA President thrust the paper toward the Tow Driver.
“Continue.”
The Tow Driver hesitated.
The Black Homeowner stepped toward his truck.
The other tow worker raised one hand.
“Sir, stay clear of the equipment.”
The Black Homeowner looked at him.
“I’m not touching your equipment.”
He pointed toward the pickup.
“That truck belongs to me.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
The Tow Driver moved his hand off the control.
The HOA President snapped, “Why did you stop?”
He looked at her.
“I’m checking.”
“You already checked.”
“I checked the address.”
The HOA President waved the paperwork again.
“The order is valid.”
The Black Homeowner held out his hand.
“Let me see it.”
She pulled it away.
“No.”
He stared.
“No?”
“This is between the association and the tow company.”
“My truck is attached to the tow company.”
“That does not give you the right to interfere.”
The Black Homeowner looked toward the Tow Driver.
“Does your company normally tow vehicles from private residential driveways based on HOA paperwork?”
The Tow Driver hesitated.
“Depends on the contract.”
“Do you have a contract with this association?”
The HOA President interrupted.
“Yes.”
The Tow Driver looked at her.
Then back at the homeowner.
“We have a service agreement for common areas.”
The Black Homeowner pointed toward the concrete beneath his feet.
“This is not common area.”
The Tow Driver looked toward the driveway.
Then toward the street.
The HOA President stepped between them.
“The driveway falls under visible-use enforcement.”
The Black Homeowner shook his head.
“That is not what he said.”
She turned.
“I am the President.”
The Tow Driver did not respond.
The Black Homeowner looked at him.
“Who called you?”
The Tow Driver answered.
“She did.”
“Who authorized entry onto my driveway?”
The Tow Driver looked at the paperwork again.
The HOA President said, “The association.”
“Which person?”
She lifted her chin.
“Me.”
The Black Homeowner nodded slowly.
“There it is.”
The President stepped forward.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you personally ordered a private tow from private property using authority you cannot explain.”
Her face hardened.
“I do not have to explain board procedure to you in the street.”
“No.”
The homeowner’s voice remained calm.
“But you do have to explain why strangers are moving my truck.”
The Tow Driver shifted his weight.
He was no longer looking at the vehicle.
He was looking at the document.
The Black Homeowner noticed.
So did the President.
“Finish the tow.”
The Tow Driver did not move.
“Sir.”
The President pointed toward him.
“I hired your company to do a job.”
The Tow Driver unfolded the order completely.
The Black Homeowner saw a printed association logo across the top.
A property address.
A vehicle description.
A line marked AUTHORIZED REMOVAL.
Then several numbers beneath it.
The Tow Driver squinted.
He turned the page over.
Then back.
The HOA President’s confidence changed.