Neighborhood Watch by Andrew Neiderman Read Free Book Online Page B

country roads where the zoning laws are so loose people can do almost anything they want. You’ve seen the houses with broken-down automobiles on their front lawns, houses with cheap signs advertising some home business, houses with mangy lawns, rusted swings, and you know what it’s like for people who have nice
    homes nearby. Their real estate values go in the sewer and their equity and life savings along with it.”
    “But all we’re doing—”
    “Is hanging a basket off a roof, I know. But a flood starts with a little leak, doesn’t it, and then the leak grows bigger and bigger until what do you have?” he asked in a reasonable tone of voice.
    “Now,” he continued, pulling out his lower right desk drawer and reaching in to bring out a Xeroxed pamphlet. “If you go back into your Emerald Lakes suggested yard items, you will note that we included a basketball pole and net. It’s on page four and there are even stores suggested.”
    “Steve was the one who suggested the homemade hoop to the boys. He said when he was growing up, that’s what he and his friends had, and we thought it was good that the boys learned to make do with things and not have us buy them expensive toys and equipment all the time. Steve says—”
    “That was fine for Steve when he was growing up in an urban neighborhood, but Steve’s a man of some stature in the community now and you live in the most desirable
    development in the area, if not in the whole state. It’s different,” Philip said firmly.
    “Frankly, I was disappointed to hear Nikki tell me about your attitude. We’re only trying to ensure that your home, as well as our homes, maintains its value. The people in
    Emerald Lakes, including your family, have a great deal of their financial well-being invested in their houses.”
    Angela relaxed her shoulders and picked up the citation.
    “The fine’s not going to break us, but I resent it,” she insisted.
    “Fines are the only way to urge people to do what’s best for themselves as well as for the rest of us. Unfortunately,” he added.
    “I still resent it,” she said. “Nikki Stanley enjoys doing this.”
    “Enjoys it?” Philip shook his head. “Angela, don’t you think Nikki resented your
    attitude? She’s not being paid to serve on the Neighborhood Watch committee. She and the others volunteer their time, time they could devote to their own families and their own self-interests.”
    “I thought you said it was in all our self-interests to live up to the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions,” Angela snapped. Philip felt himself redden.
    “It is, but it still takes some sacrifice to devote the time and the energy for the good of us all,” he said. “Besides,” he concluded, sitting back again, “if you have any disagreements with the committee’s finding, you can attend the next meeting of the trustees and appeal the decision.”
    “It’s the same group of people!” she exclaimed, holding out her hands. Philip was silent.
    “And besides, Philip, you know as well as everyone else in the development that what you decide is what the committee decides.”
    Philip’s eyes widened with indignation.
    “That’s not true. Everyone on my committee has a mind of his or her own and—”
    “Everyone on YOUR committee.” Angela stuffed the citation into her purse. “I’ll send in the money. I wouldn’t want to cause any more major trouble and upset your committee.
    Thanks for your help,” she said and spun around. He watched her leave, closing the door hard behind her.
    He wasn’t as angry with her as he was with himself. Philip had misjudged the Del
    Marcos and this was his second mistake. He never counted the Ricks as a mistake
    because they had built and bought before the formation of the homeowners association and the Neighborhood Watch. Once he realized what they were going to be like, he
    simply bought them out. He had to give them a handsome profit, but in the long run, the investment was