Jack and I had only spent one night in our temporary rental when we met Lindsey, our neighbor who arrived with a bright smile and a plate of perfectly arranged cookies. She seemed friendly enough, though her eyes lingered a little too long inside our home—as if she were quietly taking inventory. Before leaving, she reminded us of a “strict” neighborhood rule: only one vehicle per driveway. Odd, since both our cars fit easily and we were staying short-term, but we thanked her anyway.
A few days later, before sunrise, we were jolted awake by the roar of tow trucks. By the time we rushed outside, both our cars were already being lifted. And there was Lindsey across the street, calmly sipping her morning coffee like she’d been expecting the show. The driver told us the homeowners’ association requested the tow that morning—far too quickly to be coincidence. When he learned one of our vehicles required special clearance to tow and came with steep penalties for improper handling, Lindsey’s confident expression faltered.
The next day, community management showed up to investigate. They made it clear that unauthorized towing, especially without confirming vehicle ownership, could lead to serious liabilities. The fees and procedural violations added up quickly—much more than anyone expected.
After that, Lindsey kept her blinds closed and her distance. The neighborhood quieted, and Jack and I went on with our stay, grateful the issue was resolved. Still, I couldn’t help but hope the experience taught her what every good community already knows:
Assumptions cause chaos.
Communication keeps the peace.
