Finished tightening the cap.
That evening, Pine Valley’s neighborhood social page exploded.
THE WALL IS FINISHED.
Someone uploaded a photo.
Another posted:
Victoria got turned around today.
A third person responded:
Good.
Then:
Does this mean we can never use that shortcut again?
Reply:
It was never our shortcut.
Another resident wrote:
Can HOA force access?
Someone tagged Victoria.
She did not respond.
The board meeting took place the following Tuesday.
Ordinarily, Pine Valley HOA meetings attracted perhaps twelve residents.
That evening, forty-three chairs were occupied ten minutes before the meeting began.
More people stood along the back wall.
Victoria sat at the center of the board table.
To her right sat treasurer Linda Carver.
To her left, vice president Joel Bennett.
Three other board members completed the row.
An enlarged map of Pine Valley Estates rested on an easel.
Garrett attended.
That surprised people.
He rarely came to HOA meetings because he was not an HOA member.
Michael Dean came with him.
That surprised Victoria.
The meeting began with routine business.
Landscaping contract.
Pool maintenance.
Holiday decoration schedule.
Nobody cared.
Everyone waited.
Finally, Joel cleared his throat.
“We have a number of resident questions regarding the Miller Ranch road.”
The room shifted.