Not much.
Enough.
“What are you doing?”
The Tow Driver did not answer.
He pulled out his phone.
Typed something.
The President stepped closer.
“You already called dispatch.”
“I’m checking the authorization.”
“It is on the page.”
The Tow Driver looked at her.
“That’s what I’m checking.”
The Black Homeowner said nothing.
For the first time since leaving the house, he felt the situation shift.
The Tow Driver typed the number again.
Then made a call.
“Dispatch.”
Pause.
“I need a work-order verification.”
He read the number.
Waited.
The HOA President folded her arms.
The Black Homeowner watched her.
She avoided his eyes.
The Tow Driver listened.
His expression changed.
“Run it again.”
Pause.
“Nothing?”
The President spoke quickly.
“The association uses its own numbering system.”
The Tow Driver raised one finger without looking at her.
“Hold on.”
He listened again.
Then said, “Check property authority.”
Pause.
The Tow Driver looked toward the driveway.
“Private residential.”
Another pause.
“No gate.”
He looked at the President.
“No posted tow authorization.”
The HOA President’s face began losing color.
The Tow Driver said, “All right.”
He ended the call.
Silence.
Even the truck engine suddenly seemed too loud.
The President spoke first.
“Well?”
The Tow Driver folded the paper.
“Ma’am.”
“Yes?”
“This isn’t one of our work orders.”
The Black Homeowner stared at her.
The President laughed once.
Too quickly.
“Of course it is.”
“No.”
“It has your company name.”
The Tow Driver pointed.
“It has our company name typed at the bottom.”
“So?”
“So our work orders generate from dispatch.”
He held up the page.
“This number doesn’t exist.”
The HOA President’s mouth opened.
The Tow Driver continued.
“And our association contract does not authorize private-driveway removals.”
The Black Homeowner looked toward his truck.
Then back.
The Tow Driver stepped toward the controls.
The President immediately said, “What are you doing?”
“Putting the vehicle down.”
“No.”
The word came too loudly.
Everyone stopped.
The Tow Driver turned.
The HOA President seemed to realize how she sounded.
She lowered her voice.
“The board authorized the removal.”
The Tow Driver said, “That may be between you and the homeowner.”
He pointed toward the truck.
“I’m not taking this vehicle.”
The President stepped in front of him.
“You already moved it.”
“Yes.”
“Then finish.”
“No.”
“You cannot refuse after starting.”
“I can refuse anytime I determine the tow isn’t properly authorized.”