Off The Record
My Neighbor Dug Up My Pond And I Showed Him Not To Cross An Elderly Woman
Brian, Margaret’s conceited neighbor, had no clue the intense, deliberate reaction he would inspire when he filled in her cherished pond while she was gone. Margaret, an elderly woman who appeared to be lonely, came up with a scheme that completely changed Brian’s life.
Let me tell you, having seen my fair share of drama, at seventy-four years old,. However, nothing could have equipped me for the commotion that materialized in my very own backyard.
I’m Margaret, and I’ve spent the last 20 years residing in this quaint little home. Watching my three children grow up and now welcoming my seven grandchildren for weekend barbecues and summer splashes has been my little piece of happiness. There is always someone stopping by, bringing love and laughter into the space.
The jewel in the crown of my estate? a lovely pond that my adored grandfather dug out by himself. It has always served as the focal point of our family get-togethers.
My grandchildren adore playing in the pond, and to be honest, there are moments when I feel like they love the pond more than they love me!
Before roughly five years ago, when Brian moved in next door, everything was fine and dandy. That man had a bee in his bonnet about my pond from the very beginning.
He would call out across the fence, “Margaret!” I can’t stop staring at those frogs all night! Is there nothing you can do about them?”
“Oh, Brian, they’re just singing you a lullaby,” I would merely answer with a smile. Without charge!”
But he would have none of it. “And the biting insects! They are proliferating in your pond like crazy.”
“Now, Brian,” I’d reply, “I keep that pond cleaner than a whistle. Those mosquitoes are probably coming from that heap of junk in your yard.”
He would puff and sputter, but I would get on with my day. I was mistaken to think he would ultimately get used to it.
I made the decision to go see my sister, who lives in the next state over one day. I was excited for a few days of gin rummy and gossip. I had no idea that when I came back, I would see something that would chill me to the bone.
Upon entering my driveway, I became aware of an irregularity. There was no longer the typical shimmer of water to greet me. It was replaced by dirt. I heaved myself out of the car, my heart sinking to my toes.
Sweet old Mrs. Johnson, my neighbor across the street, hurried over. “Margaret, oh! I’m so happy you’ve returned. They claimed to be following directions when I sought to stop them.”
“Who should stop? What directives?” I was lost in thought, gazing at the muddy area that once held my cherished pond.
“Yesterday, a crew stopped by.” According to Mrs. Johnson, “some company hired them to empty and refill the pond.” “I told them you weren’t home, but they had paperwork and everything!”
I had been taken completely by surprise. In a day, twenty years’ worth of memories vanished. And I knew just who was responsible.
I said, “Brian,” while balling my fists.
“What are you going to do?” With concern imprinted on her features, Mrs. Johnson inquired.
I squared my shoulders. “Oh, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. That man thinks he can push around a sweet old lady? He’s about to learn why you don’t cross a woman like Margaret!”
I started by giving my relatives a call. Lisa, my daughter, was furious. “This is illegal, mom! The police must be called!”
I said, “Hold your horses, sweetie.”
“We need proof first.”
That’s when Jessie, my granddaughter, spoke up. “Grandma! Do you recall the bird camera we installed in the oak tree? Perhaps something got caught in it.”
As luck would have it, that tiny camera ended up being our covert tool.
After watching the video, we could clearly see Brian leading a team to fill up my pond. He appeared to be a young child who had just avoided getting caught stealing cookies from the jar.
I uttered “Gotcha,” grinning broadly.
Brian appeared to assume that since I’m elderly and live alone, I’d just accept it. He had no idea that I was hiding a few tricks from him.
My initial action was to give the local environmental department a call.
“Hello,” I said in a kind voice. “I’d like to report the destruction of a protected habitat.”
Confusion was audible from the individual on the other end. “Protected habitat, ma’am?”
“Oh yes,” I replied. “You see, my pond was home to a rare species of fish. I registered it with your agency years ago. And someone just filled it in without permission.”
When it comes to protected species, those agency people don’t play around, let me tell you.
A few days later, they were at Brian’s door demanding an eye-watering fine.
One of the representatives said, “Sir, we’re from the Environmental Protection Agency.” “We’re here regarding the illegal destruction of a protected habitat on your neighbor’s property.”
Brian’s expression turned pallid. “What? habitat that is protected? It was merely a pond.”
“Mr. Thompson, there was a pond where a rare species of fish was registered. We have proof that you destroyed it without the required authority.”
“This is ridiculous!” Brian’s voice rose as he spittered. “What a bother that elderly woman’s pond was! I was being helpful to the neighborhood.”
“Well, sir, that ‘favor’ comes with a fine of $50,000 for violating environmental protection laws.”
Brian was in complete shock. “Fifty thou—You’ve got to be kidding! It’s all a miscommunication. The pond was that.”
I overheard their chat in private and had to smile. I wasn’t finished, though.
With all due respect, my grandson Ethan is a highly successful lawyer in the city. I rang him.
“Ethan, my dear,” I spoke. “How would you like to help your grandma stick it to a neighborhood bully?”
Ethan was only too glad to assist. Before Brian could say “frivolous lawsuit,” he received documents alleging emotional suffering and property damage.
I could have stopped there, but I needed to play one more card.
Karen, Brian’s wife, had always seemed like a good person. I decided it was time for a quick conversation after seeing her get home from work one evening.
“Evening, Karen,” I murmured. “Got a minute?”
Despite her fatigue, she managed a smile. “Naturally, Margaret. What are your thoughts?”
I told her the truth about the pond and invited her over for a cup of tea. I told her about the fish and frogs, the kids learning to swim in it, my grandfather digging it, and the summer nights spent by it.
As I spoke, Karen’s expression changed from confusion to horror. “Margaret, I didn’t know,” she exclaimed. “Brian told me the city ordered the pond filled for safety reasons!”
“Well,” I said, patting her hand. “Now you know the truth.”
The days that followed were peaceful. When Brian’s automobile vanished, the rumors in the neighborhood spread like wildfire. Word got out that, after finding out what Brian had done, Karen had asked him to leave.
Then, one morning, I heard equipment rumbling when I woke up.
I almost lost my balance when I glanced out my window. A crew was working in my yard, and they were digging!
Running outside, I saw Karen in charge of everything. She grinned at the sight of me. “Good morning, Margaret. If that’s okay with you, I felt that it was time to make things right.”
It came out that Karen had contracted with workers to fix my pond. She confided in me while we observed them at work.
She said, “Brian’s been involved in some dubious business dealings.” “This whole pond thing was just him lashing out because of his own problems.”
Nevertheless, the environmental office dismissed its allegations after the pond was repaired. Ethan also persuaded me to drop the lawsuit in the interim. That boy has a gift for language.
Brian, on the other hand, with his tail between his legs, skulked off to another state. Karen, however, started to visit frequently. She even began assisting me with pond maintenance, claiming it was the least she could do.
Karen turned to face me, and a twinkle appeared in her eye as we sat by my newly restored pond one evening, watching the sunset reflected off the water.
“You know, Margaret,” she replied, “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad Brian messed with your pond.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Oh? And why is it the case?”
She grinned. “Because if he hadn’t, I might never have known what a wonderful neighbor I had right next door.”
We chuckled and clinked our glasses of iced tea. Who would have guessed that a small pond could be both so troublesome and beneficial?
And now here I am, seventy-four years old, with a rehabilitated pond, a new companion, and a tale that will be discussed for years to come at family get-togethers. Indeed, life has a way of taking you by surprise.
If there’s one thing to take away from all of this, believe me when I say this: you should never undervalue a resentful grandmother and a capable family lawyer!
Here’s another story you might love if you liked this one: I was furious when my father-in-law Richard destroyed my prized garden to make room for his unapproved swimming pool. However, karma operates in mysterious ways, as the saying goes. His ideal endeavor became a nightmare when a series of unanticipated occurrences transpired.
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