"Ma'am?" the officer asked, his voice low and dangerously tight. "Are we on this gentleman's private property?"
Brenda opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She clutched her clipboard to her chest, her eyes darting frantically for an escape route.
Julian finally lowered his phone, stopping the recording. He stood up from the lounger, a towering, imposing figure.
"Officer," Julian said calmly, "I would like to officially press charges for trespassing and harassment against the HOA President. And I’d appreciate it if you could escort her off my property before my family’s barbecue gets cold."
Brenda dropped her clipboard. The plastic shattered on the stone patio, a perfect metaphor for her absolute authority. As the embarrassed and furious officer grabbed Brenda by the arm to march her toward the gate, Julian simply picked up his iced tea. The oasis was his once again.