The homeowner stepped onto the porch.
He looked at the candy bowl.
Then at the shopping bag.
Then at her handbag.
Finally, his eyes met hers.
“Good evening.”
The HOA President recovered quickly.
“I was just correcting a problem.”
The homeowner nodded.
“What problem?”
“You received the notice.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
The woman looked irritated.
“The board discussed excessive Halloween displays and competitive giveaways.”
The homeowner glanced around.
One inflatable ghost.
Three pumpkins.
Orange string lights.
A folding table.
“Competitive giveaways.”
“The oversized candy.”
The homeowner looked at his phone.
Then toward the children.
“Did she take candy out of my bowl?”
The little boy answered immediately.
“Yes.”
The HOA President snapped:
“Children are not reliable witnesses.”
The father beside the sidewalk raised his eyebrows.
The homeowner looked at her purse.
“Did you put my candy in there?”
The HOA President lifted her chin.
“I redistributed it.”
The homeowner almost smiled.
“Redistributed.”
“Yes.”
“To where?”
She hesitated.
“To other participating homes.”
The little boy pointed.
“You put it in your purse.”
The HOA President spun toward him.
“Enough!”
The child stepped backward.
The homeowner’s expression changed instantly.
“Don't yell at him.”
She turned.
“He has been repeatedly interrupting.”
“He's eight.”
“He’s old enough to learn manners.”
The homeowner walked toward the table.
He lifted one of the cheap candy bags.
Generic brand.
Bulk packaging.
He set it down.
“Did you buy these?”
“Yes.”
“And you decided to replace the candy I bought with this?”
“I decided to restore some balance.”
The homeowner stared.
“Balance.”
The HOA President spread her hands.
“You clearly don't understand what this has been doing.”
“What?”
“Every child has been telling everyone that your house gives out full-size bars.”
“So?”
“So other homeowners have complained.”
“Who?”
“I am not obligated to identify complainants.”
“Did anyone actually complain?”
Her face tightened.
The homeowner waited.
No answer.
He nodded.
“That’s what I thought.”
The HOA President reached toward the candy bowl.
“We can discuss this tomorrow.”
The homeowner placed his hand over the bowl.
“No.”
She looked down at his hand.
Then up.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re not leaving yet.”
Her face changed.
The father near the porch subtly lifted his phone and began recording.
The HOA President noticed.
She pointed toward him.
“Stop filming.”
He said:
“No.”
She looked back at the homeowner.
“You do not have authority to detain me.”
“I didn't say I did.”