Marching across the pristine travertine was a woman who looked like she belonged on a country club tennis court, not in a private backyard. She wore a stark white tennis dress, a matching open-top sun visor that failed to contain her rigid blonde bob, and stark white sneakers. Tucked firmly under her left arm was a thick, plastic clipboard. Her face was flushed—whether from the heat or from sheer indignation, it was hard to tell.
This was Brenda, the newly elected President of the Cypress Creek Homeowners Association. She was notorious for patrolling the neighborhood, issuing citations for everything from the wrong shade of mulch to trash cans left out five minutes too long. But Julian’s property was gated, entirely private, and exempt from the majority of the HOA's draconian landscaping bylaws due to a grandfathered property deed. Brenda had always hated him for it.
Julian didn't immediately stand up. He watched Brenda approach with a mixture of profound confusion and rising irritation. He assumed she was here to deliver some petty newsletter or complain about the cars parked in his extensive driveway.
Brenda didn't stop at the edge of the patio. She marched directly to where Julian was lounging, her white sneakers leaving faint dust tracks on his clean stone floor. She stopped three feet away, planted her hands on her hips, and glared at the people in the pool. Her chest heaved as she took a deep, dramatic breath.
"I cannot believe what I am seeing," Brenda announced, her shrill voice echoing across the water, completely shattering the peaceful atmosphere. She pointed an accusatory, manicured finger at Julian’s brother. "Who are these people?"
Julian slowly sat up, resting his forearms on his knees. "Brenda. To what do I owe the pleasure of you letting yourself into my yard?"
"Don't play coy with me, Julian," Brenda snapped, gripping her clipboard. "The HOA charter clearly states that the community pool has a strict limit of two guests per household. You have half a dozen unauthorized people in this water! You are in direct violation of the summer recreation guidelines!"