He asked the Attorney about towing.
Legal.
Possible.
But potentially messy.
The Attorney recommended posted notice and local ordinance compliance.
The Black Homeowner considered it.
Then his work brain went somewhere else.
He started thinking about the driveway itself.
The concrete was old.
Not failing.
But stained.
The garage had rear access through a narrow alley-like service lane that the original developer had retained for utility and maintenance purposes.
The Black Homeowner and his Wife owned two vehicles.
One could be kept inside the garage.
The second could enter from the rear after modest improvements.
The front driveway was convenient.
Not essential.
His Wife caught him studying site plans one evening.
“What are you doing?”
“Thinking.”
She looked at the drawings.
“That is never cheap.”
He smiled.
“What if we remove the driveway?”
She stared.
Then laughed.
“No.”
“I’m serious.”
“You want to destroy the driveway because she parks there?”
“No.”
The Black Homeowner pointed toward the front yard.
“I've wanted outdoor seating.”
“You have a backyard.”
“Different sun.”
His Wife narrowed her eyes.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“A little.”
She sat beside him.
“What would replace it?”
“Brick patio.”
“Raised?”
“Yes.”
“Planters?”
“Yes.”
“Shade tree?”
“Two.”
His Wife thought.
“Fire table?”
He smiled.
“Now you're involved.”
She leaned over the plan.
“How much?”
He told her.
She stopped smiling.
“That much?”
“Hardscape isn't cheap.”
His Wife considered.
Then:
“How much is peace worth?”
The Black Homeowner looked toward the camera monitor.
The white SUV sat in their driveway again.
Incident seventy-four.
His Wife nodded.
“Get estimates.”
That was the beginning.
The Black Homeowner did not rush.
He knew construction.
That meant he knew revenge projects usually failed when people treated permits like optional paperwork.
He did the opposite.
Survey first.
Utility locate.
Drainage.
Impervious surface calculation.
Setback review.
Municipal permit.
HOA architectural application.
The application did not say:
Please approve patio so HOA President stops parking here.
It said:
Convert existing front-side concrete vehicular pad to raised permeable brick hardscape and landscaped outdoor living area.
Professional.
Boring.
Exactly what approvals liked.
The architectural committee reviewed.
Asked for material samples.
Drainage detail.
Plant list.
The Black Homeowner supplied everything.
The HOA President discovered the application after the committee had already begun review.
She called him.
“What is this?”
The Black Homeowner sat at his desk.
“Application.”
“You’re removing the driveway?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Outdoor living.”
Silence.
Then:
“That's ridiculous.”
“How?”
“You have a backyard.”