Slowed.
Then stopped.
Not in his driveway.
Because there was no driveway.
She remained in the road.
The Black Homeowner watched through the window.
Her head moved.
Left.
Right.
Then back.
She pulled to the curb.
Exited.
Hot-pink pantsuit.
Designer handbag.
Large sunglasses.
His Wife looked over his shoulder.
“Wow.”
“What?”
“She dressed for the apocalypse.”
They walked toward the porch.
The HOA President marched across the street.
Then came the scream.
“WHERE IS THE DRIVEWAY?”
The Black Homeowner stepped outside.
Coffee in hand.
White bathrobe tied neatly.
Slippers.
The HOA President looked at him.
Then his clothing.
Then the patio.
“What did you DO?”
The Black Homeowner leaned against the porch column.
“Morning.”
“You removed it.”
“Yes.”
“The entire thing.”
“Yes.”
“Put it back.”
His Wife covered her mouth.
The Black Homeowner looked toward her.
She turned away to hide laughter.
The HOA President pointed at the workers.
“Stop.”
Nobody stopped.
“Tear this out.”
The Black Homeowner held up the permit folder.
“Approved.”
“No.”
“City.”
He opened one page.
“HOA.”
Another.
“Engineering.”
Another.
“Drainage.”
Another.
“Setback.”
The HOA President marched toward the brick wall.
One worker continued brushing mortar.
She looked at him.
“Do you know you're constructing an unauthorized alteration?”
The worker glanced toward the Black Homeowner.
“Sir?”
“Authorized.”
The worker nodded.
Continued.
The HOA President turned around.
“I will issue daily fines.”
The Black Homeowner smiled.
“You tried that in the board meeting.”
“The board can reconsider.”
“Not retroactively without cause.”
“I'm president.”
“For now.”
The words came from behind her.
The HOA President spun around.
The Architectural Committee Chair had walked up the sidewalk.
He held a clipboard.
She stared.
“What are you doing here?”
“Final committee documentation.”
The HOA President’s face tightened.
“You shouldn't be communicating independently with homeowners.”
The Committee Chair laughed.
“I’m eighty-one years old.”
She stared.
He continued:
“You’re welcome to try giving me a performance review.”
The Black Homeowner’s Wife laughed openly now.
The HOA President’s anger rose.
“This structure destroys neighborhood continuity.”
The Committee Chair looked at the patio.
Then the surrounding brick houses.
“It uses approved masonry.”
“Approved plantings.”
“Approved hardscape.”
“Reduced concrete coverage.”
“Better drainage.”
He shrugged.
“It looks good.”
The HOA President looked as though he had slapped her.
Then another vehicle pulled up.