Sarah was no stranger to finding notes taped to her front door. Each one carried a familiar tone—stern and demanding—always signed by her neighbor, Mrs. Cardigan.
“Mrs. Teller,
Your yard is a mess, and your house needs a paint job. It’s bringing down the whole neighborhood! Please address this immediately before property values suffer.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cardigan.”
With a sigh, Sarah crumpled the latest note and tossed it in the trash. Keeping up with her yard wasn’t high on her priority list. Raising three children, including a sick toddler, while supporting her husband Andrew, who worked grueling night shifts, left her with little time or energy.
“This woman doesn’t understand,” Sarah muttered, moving on to her chores.
The next day, Sarah’s doorbell rang incessantly, accompanied by loud knocking. She hurried to answer, worried the noise might wake Andrew, who was finally catching up on sleep. Standing on her doorstep were three neighbors: Mrs. Cardigan, Mr. Sanders, and Mrs. Levy, their expressions a mix of annoyance and determination.
“Mrs. Teller,” Mrs. Cardigan began, “we’ve had enough. Your yard is a disgrace, and your house is falling apart! We’re forming a homeowners’ association, and this will not be tolerated.”
The others joined in, echoing her complaints. Sarah felt a surge of frustration but held her composure. Instead of arguing, she took a deep breath and surprised them with an unexpected gesture.
“Why don’t you come in for tea?” she offered, stepping aside.
The neighbors hesitated but eventually followed her inside, clearly caught off guard. Sarah prepared tea with her last few bags, determined to keep the conversation civil. As they sipped, Mrs. Cardigan didn’t waste time. “Are you going to address the yard or not?” she pressed.
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