I lived peacefully in my neighborhood and made verbal deals with my neighbors when alterations had to be made. What I didn’t expect was things changing drastically when the neighbors moved. They left me with a problematic spitfire of a woman whom karma dealt with swiftly!
I had always felt at ease in my tiny house on Maple Street. After a hard day, I could relax in my backyard, which served as my haven. I made the quick decision to construct a fence along the rear to provide me some much-needed solitude after moving here.
I discussed the matter with Jim and Susan, my neighbors at the time, in order to save money on hiring a surveyor. They were laid back and nice, and we decided on a location for the fence. Although it wasn’t precisely on the property line, we could all still use it.
After shaking hands, I started working. It was my pride and joy, that fence. I bought all the supplies and built it over several weekends. Since they were not required to make any contributions, my neighbors were pleased with the arrangement.
Everything worked out well. However, my lovely neighbors sold their home a little over a year ago. Kayla arrives, a sophisticated newcomer from the big city. Jim informed me that Kayla worked as a realtor before they departed. She had successfully flipped eight residences in a span of twelve years!
She carried a scornful gaze and was constantly dressed in formal skirts, blouses, and heels, setting her apart from the rest of us locals. Every time, the new neighbor would brag about how much she liked her new house and how she intended to stay there forever.
However, I spotted a man with a clipboard strolling through my property and the neighborhood about six months after she moved in. He was measuring things and planting small flags in the ground, giving the impression that he was a property surveyor.
Kayla appeared on my door the following day and completely altered my life. She arrived bearing a stack of documents and wearing a determined expression. “Hello, this is Kayla. Can you spare a moment?” Taking out her business card, she made an introduction.
“Sure, what’s up?” Curious about the papers she held, I replied.
She held up the paperwork and remarked, “I had a survey done, and it turns out your fence is nine inches onto my property.” “I’m going to need you to either move it or pay me for the land it’s on.”
It surprised me. “I built that fence based on an agreement with the previous owners,” I said. “We didn’t get a survey, but we all agreed on the spot.”
Clearly not impressed, Kayla shook her head. “That might be how things work out here, but where I’m from, we follow the rules,” she insisted. “You need to move the fence or compensate me for the encroachment.”
In addition, the item has an ugly, outdated appearance. You’ll regret it if I have to take action because you won’t take it down or move it.”
Her attitude astonished me, so I tried to talk sense into her by telling her about the handshake agreement I made with Jim and Susan. She would not move, though. Rather, she threatened to sue me, and I knew there was nothing else I could do.
Since I had no documentation of the agreement I had made with my former neighbors, I decided to tear down the fence the following day in order to prevent any disputes. I pulled up the supports, unscrewed the panels, and put them by the garage with a heavy heart.
I didn’t want to get into legal hot water, even though it was a difficult pill to swallow and the effort was exhausting. I never would have guessed what would happen next.
Kayla returned to my door about a week later, and this time, she was crying! Her voice quivered as she asked, “What have you done?!”
I was perplexed and said, “What do you mean?”
“Please give back the old fence. When is it possible to rebuild it? I need the fence back, therefore I’ll even pay you whatever amount of money for it,” she said.
“I assumed you desired its removal,” I answered.
“Yeah, but Duke is my dog. She disclosed, “He’s a German Shepherd mix, and I can’t leave him outside without a fence.” “He’ll flee, or worse, a car may strike him. He also eats up everything in the home.”
Though I had some sympathy for her, I couldn’t help but think of how adamant she had been about the fence. “Kayla, I apologize, but I will not be rebuilding it. I don’t want any more problems, and keeping a fence away from your land is the best way to achieve it.”
My neighbor appeared to be in a serious situation. Duke is ruining my furniture, so I can’t keep him inside all day. Please understand. That fence is essential!”
“I apologize, but no,” I firmly said. “I don’t want to risk any more issues.”
Deflated, Kayla headed out.
But she wasn’t out of the karma game. She attempted to resolve the situation on her own during the ensuing weeks. Duke tore through the frail bamboo fence she had erected like tissue paper! Kayla’s social life and career suffered as a result of having to spend more time at home.
Her cherished dog was slowly destroying her dream home from the inside out.
She made the decision to hold a garage sale early on a Saturday morning in order to get rid of some of her worn-out furnishings. She decided to tie Duke to the improvised bamboo fence outside while she attended to possible purchasers because it was a very hot day. Huge error!
That cunning dog tore right through the fence and went crazy! It scared the youngsters as it rushed through the neighborhood and toppled a few garage sale displays! Kayla’s purse—which included her wallet and all of her vital documents—was taken from the garage during the confusion.
For her, it was a nightmare! She had to cope with the fallout from Duke’s neighborhood escapade, cancel all of her credit cards, and obtain new identification. With the exception of Kayla, the entire neighborhood laughed when they heard about it.
For my neighbor, life without a good fence become harder and harder. Duke was a pain, and she was never comfortable in her unsecure backyard. She made every effort to contain him.
She tried using a tie-out cable to reinforce the bamboo fence, but it didn’t work. Duke was just too powerful and determined to escape.
Kayla came over to me again one evening when I was outside watering my garden. “Please, please, please,” she cried, her eyes burning. This time, I’ll cover the cost of the complete fence. I cannot continue to live this way. Duke is making me nuts, and I’m out of money to buy new furnishings.”
I sighed, experiencing a mixture of sympathy and annoyance. I recognize your predicament, Kayla, but I can’t take the chance of tearing down the fence and starting a new argument. It isn’t worth the hassle.
She was angry and desperate at the same time as she gazed at me. “You have no idea how it feels. Even when I leave the house, I’m always worried about what Duke is going to ruin next. My social life has ended, and my job is suffering. Please, there must be a solution within our power.”
I softened a little when I saw how upset she was. “Look, I’ll help you brainstorm some other solutions, but rebuilding the fence isn’t an option.”
Kayla wiped away her tears and nodded. “I’m grateful. Thank you very much.
For the next hour, we talked about several concepts. To help control Duke’s behavior, we discussed everything from getting better temporary fence to employing a dog trainer. Although Kayla appeared somewhat more optimistic, I could tell that this wasn’t the outcome she was looking for.
After a few months, Kayla’s circumstances continued to deteriorate. Duke continued to behave destructively, and my neighbor was at her wits’ end. She persisted in attempting to turn her issue into mine, but all I could do was give her advise.
I finally gave up and spoke with a realtor after months of back and forth like this. I had a “For Sale” sign put up in my yard the following week. After much thought, I had finally made the decision to give up and move on from Kayla’s stressful position.
A few weeks later, Kayla returned to knock on my door, looking more collected. “I noticed you’re selling your home,” she uttered in a monotone voice.
Indeed, I’m at my breaking point with this. I need to reclaim my life, and your dog needs more room.”
She said, “I’m sorry to hear that,” but she didn’t seem particularly regretful—perhaps because she was worn out from trying to control Duke. “I hope you find a place that works better for both of you.”
“I appreciate it,” I responded, forcing a meek smile. “I apologize for causing you so much inconvenience. All I was trying to do was do the right thing, but it didn’t work out.”
“Water under the bridge,” the woman uttered. “Good luck with everything.”
I gave notice to the new owners of the house of Kayla’s status before moving out a month later. A carefree young couple, they seemed to have everything going for them. They were happy with the status quo and did not own any pets.
I thrived in my new home after moving the old fence panels there. It dawned on me that Kayla’s move next door was intended to drive me from the old neighborhood. My house dog enjoys playing in the dirt, so I let it outside every morning.
There was no drama and the new neighborhood was cozy and calm. I did indeed meet someone and was smitten! I still grin when I see those panels, thinking of Kayla’s retribution coming full circle. The anecdote always makes folks laugh when I relate it to them! It’s a helpful reminder that sometimes karma really is wise!
