He’d Taken It Too Far
As angry as he felt, he had to will himself not to do something he would regret later on. Even after telling them to leave, he still saw the pavers in front of his house.
This had been going on for too long, and he was fed up. He knew he had to stop it once and for all. His neighbor had crossed the line, and he was going to make him regret it.
Karma
But what was he supposed to do? The man wasn't listening to him. But as he thought about his next possible move, a grin tugged at his lips. He realized that all he had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.
He told himself that everything would be okay, and soon, his neighbor would learn a thing or two about karma. Miles just had to wait and see what was going to happen.
He Knew Something
In a moment, Miles went from angry to composed and decided not to act. To get his revenge, he didn't have to do a thing; it would all just happen.
Miles knew something that his neighbor didn't. It would only take a little patience, and soon, his neighbor would beg for mercy. Miles couldn't wait.
Wait And See
Unlike his neighbor, Miles knew that the county would handle his dirty work for him. There was no doubt in my mind that the man exploited those around him and took what he wanted.
Miles knew people higher up wouldn't tolerate it once they found out. The only thing he had to do was wait and see what would happen.
They Left A Note
His prediction finally came true when Miles saw some people in his neighborhood that he had never seen before. With clipboards in hand, they looked around.
When they saw what his neighbor had done, they were shocked. They went straight to his front door and slapped a note on it. It was unclear what kind of consequences the man would face, but Miles went ahead and read the note.
His Dreams
As a child, Miles dreamed of living on a wildlife reservation. His parents' support helped him achieve his dreams, and he eventually earned a bachelor's degree in biology.
Now an adult, Miles knew he was capable of anything, but his dream would have to wait after he met the love of his life. She lived in Austin, Texas, which didn't have many opportunities for his degree, but that didn't matter. He was in love.
Starting A Family
At the age of twenty-three, Miles met Megan through some friends and couldn't get her out of his mind. They finally got together after months of winning her over, but it was just the beginning.
They lived in Austin, where they started a family of their own. Miles was the best dad he could be. As he watched his kids grow up, he forgot about his dream.
Years Go By
Years crept up on Miles, and every single milestone flew by. He remembered the first day he took his kids to high school and the first day they moved out and left for college.
In the blink of an eye, he was now living alone with Megan while his kids were out living their own lives. But things wouldn’t stay the same forever.
Reigniting His Dream
Miles’ dreams were reignited after his kids left, and it was none other than Megan that encouraged him to do it. She told him that they could go anywhere now, and she was right.
Miles looked at some wildlife reservations and managed to find a job opening as a senior faculty member. The now 45-year-old man saw it as a golden opportunity.
A Good Life
Miles and Megan hopped on the next flight to the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. There, his qualifications got him the job easily. Life looked like it would be good for the couple.
Megan worked remotely from their living quarters while Miles did what he did best. But there was something she noticed while they were there.
Beautiful Property
Just a few months after moving there, Megan told Miles that she had noticed a beautiful property just on the reservation line. It looked like it was for sale; what did he think?
Miles smiled and told his wife that if she wanted it, then he would make sure he got it for their retirement, which wasn’t that far away. But before that happened, tragedy would strike.
The Hospital
No one was too sure what had happened, but one evening when Miles got home, he found his beautiful wife on the floor. He rushed her to the nearest hospital an hour ago, but it didn’t look good.
Once there, he was pushed out of the ER and had to sit and wait for what felt like an eternity while something was happening to his wife.
Hours Under The Knife
For hours, Miles sat while he wasn’t too sure what was happening to his wife. But finally, after the longest wait, his wife, a doctor, came out of the ER with a sullen look on his face.
He told Miles that the outlook didn’t look very good. She was in a coma after they had to operate. Her comatose state could be hours, days, or forever. Miles was heartbroken.
By Her Side
Months after the accident, Miles didn’t give up easily. He went to visit Megan every day and sat by her side, calling out her name. He hoped she would wake up, but it seemed pointless.
He cried by her bedside more times than he could count. Things weren’t looking good; was there a mercy that he could give her?
A Difficult Decision
Fast forward another two years, and Miles was still as devoted to his wife as ever. But there was a harsh reality he had to try and face. She wasn’t getting any better, and her chances of waking up were astronomically low after 24 months.
There was an alternative to end her suffering. But Miles was the only person that could make that decision. What would he do?
Peace
The doctors reassured Miles, telling him that she would feel a thing and that it would be a mercy. She couldn’t stay like this forever, and it was only hurting them both.
He had to do what was right for her. It was the most awful thing he ever had to do, but he did it for her. He told the doctors to take her off of life support so that she could finally be at peace.
Getting Back To Work
Miles tried focusing on work again. He hadn’t had his head in his profession for the last two years, but none of his coworkers blamed him.
He kept his eyes fixed forward so that it wouldn’t hurt so much. The job was his dream, but without Megan, it felt hollow. But there was something he had forgotten.
Seeing The Property
One day, while working, Miles noticed something familiar. While examining animal tracks, he saw a property that looked familiar, like he had seen it before.
Then his mind went back to a few years prior. It was the property that his wife had shown him. It was the property she wanted to retire in. Tears streamed down his face as he remembered.
Nearly Done
Miles knew he’d keep his promise. He was only a few years away from retirement. It was something to look forward to again, something his wife had wanted.
He worked the rest of his job well and made sure that he was well-liked around the place. Otherwise, he knew it would be difficult living there. But he had no idea who he’d be moving next to.
Retirement
After working hard for most of his life, Miles retired to the most beautiful place imaginable. He found the perfect property that was on the edge of a nature reserve. Megan was right about it.
He loved sitting on his porch and looking at the beauty before him. But that’s when he first noticed his new neighbor and the entitlement that he brought with him.
Bigger Than His
The neighbor had been there when Miles arrived, but only now he noticed something strange. His neighbor’s property was much bigger than his. In fact, it was bigger than anyone else’s.
Was he just lucky and found a property that was naturally bigger? Miles somehow doubted that, but there was no point in conspiracy theories, so he left it alone. But it would stick in his mind.
Friendly
Miles was easy to get along with and exchanged numbers with the man. He saw the expensive sports car outside and couldn’t lie to himself - he was a little jealous.
But he was still more than happy with his property with the beautiful view in front of him. It was a peaceful retirement until he noticed something else about his neighbor.
Not Happy
It was a regular day when Miles noticed something weird. It was his neighbor - he was looking at the boundaries of his property with a frown. He wasn’t happy about something.
But then, a moment later, he came back with pavers he got from who knows where. But what he did next had Miles in disbelief.
Paving His Way
Miles almost couldn’t believe what he was witnessing from his property. His neighbor started paving his way from his front door all the way to places he shouldn’t have been.
By the end of it, he had paved all the way to the boundary line for the reserve. Miles was shocked that he would do something so bold and so selfish. But that was only the beginning.
Ripping Them Out
When his neighbor got to the fence posts that marked the boundary, he decided to do something that Miles didn’t approve of.
He ripped the old wooden posts out of the ground and put them back deeper into the reserve. Miles’ face dropped as he saw what the man was doing. He hated that aspect.
Getting Out Of Control
This meant he now had a deceivingly larger property line than before. Miles couldn’t just watch him do it. He had to think of a way to stop the man who was getting out of control.
Miles never liked conflicts, but he knew that his neighbor would eventually get into big trouble if he didn’t stop him first. He was trying to be compassionate, but the neighbor wouldn’t care.
Destroying The Peace
Miles could see that his neighbor was only just getting started. He was walking, obviously preparing to pave again. That was something that he just couldn’t allow.
Miles knew some things his neighbor clearly didn’t. He had worked for the National Park Services before. This meant he was clued in on a few things his neighbor had no idea about.
Confronting Him
Miles made his way over to his neighbor to confront him, but he saw him coming. “You’re new here. I’ve been here ten years; mind your own damn business!” He viciously said to Miles
Miles didn’t have to be told twice. He left without another word, deciding that pressing the issue with the defensive man wasn’t going to get him anywhere.
Making Him Understand
But he knew that there had to be another way to make the man understand. He looked stubborn, but Miles had convinced many people to think like him in his day.
Maybe there was another way to make him understand. He decided to try and make peace and make the man see things from his perspective. But he had no idea how much of a mistake that was.
A Peace Offering
Miles brainstormed until he thought he had it all figured out. He decided that he would try to win his neighbor over with friendliness.
He knew just the thing that would solve everything. He would find a peace offering and give it to the man, but would he really go for it when he had only been hostile?
Going Over With Good Intentions
The next day, Miles walked to his neighbor’s house with good intentions. He knocked on his front door and waited with a smile and the package in his hands.
He was hoping the man would see reason. He wanted to explain to the neighbor that there would be repercussions if he didn’t listen.
Getting To His Door
The neighbor opened the door with a grimace. “What are you doing here?” He said with disgust in his voice. “I came to give you a neighborly gift.”
But Miles knew he had to explain exactly why he was there. “I also wanted to talk to you about the pavers.” The man looked at the bottle in his hand.
Expensive Taste
Miles passed a bottle of wine to the neighbor in the doorway. The man scrutinized the bottle, but Miles already knew that he would like it.
The bottle of wine was for someone with an expensive taste. Miles would never have bought himself a bottle like that when he didn’t drink much. It was a gift from a work colleague years ago.
A Special Occasion
It had been a bottle Miles had been keeping in his pantry for ten years. He’d been saving it for a special occasion, but he never had anyone around anymore.
He thought he’d be sharing it with Megan, but now he never would. He was almost happy to give it away if it would solve his problems and wouldn’t remind him of his wife.
This Means War
The man’s greedy eyes lit up when he noticed what the wine was. He stared at Miles and mumbled, “Thanks, but I’m not talking about the pavers.” Before he did the unthinkable.
He closed the door in Miles’ face. He felt anger rise up in his body. How could he be so rude to him? But what else could he do now that his plan had failed?
I Couldn't Do Anything About It.
He had to will every ounce of his being not to do something he’d regret with how much angered he felt. He told them to leave, but even afterward, he still saw the pavers in front of him.
He fantasized about doing less than savory things to the person responsible. But then he snapped out of it as he thought about what he should do next. His neighbor had crossed him for the last time.
A Smile
Then he thought about exactly what he could do to fix the situation. A grin flashed across his face as he realized that all he had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.
Everything was going to be alright, and his neighbor would learn exactly what karma was. Now, Miles just had to wait and see what was going to happen.
Revenge Without Lifting A Finger
Miles went from angry to composed in a moment and decided not to do anything. He figured he wouldn’t have to lift a finger to get his revenge; it would all come naturally.
Miles was in on some info that he was sure his neighbor was not. All it would take was a little patience, and his neighbor would be begging for mercy. This was Miles’ end goal.
A Notice
It turns out that Miles’ neighbor had been doing this for years… pulling out the boundary fence posts and grabbing land however and whenever he saw fit.
He had put the new pavers down so that he could park his golf cart and cherry-red sports car out back while he was away for the summer. It was one of the worst things someone could do.
Taping A Notice To The Door
The county would have to move them before they did anything else, so they taped a notice to the man’s door and left shortly afterward. It was all said and done, but what was on the note?
Miles' curiosity was piqued, and he needed to know what they were going to do to his neighbor. He knew it wouldn’t be good, but how bad would it be?
Getting His Attention
Miles decided to walk up to the county man and introduce himself. He told him that he was a retiree and neighbor to the man they were after.
The man didn’t seem to care about who Miles was until he properly told him his credentials. Once he told the man that he used to work as a senior staff, the man took a double take.
Respect
The county man seemed to immediately give Miles some respect that he didn’t expect. He then asked him how the man had gotten away with it so far.
Miles explained his strained relationship with his neighbor and how he knew what was coming to him anyway. The county man laughed and left without another word. But Miles wasn’t done.
Curiosity
Miles couldn’t help himself. He watched as the man got into his car and drove away. Now Miles would be able to do what he knew he wasn’t supposed to do.
He was going to find out exactly what repercussions his neighbor was going to face. He walked up to his property and smiled as he looked at the piece of paper stuck to his door.
Fines
Miles, curious, walks up to read the notice. It states that the man is in violation of encroachment onto protected lands and that he has 30 days to move his car, tear up the pavers, and pay a fine of $11,000.
The fine is for damage to protected species that inhabit the protected land and for trespassing. But that wasn’t all.
Should He Call?
Failure to comply within 30 days would result in the golf cart and sports car being towed away and impounded, and the pavers would be dug up and carted off at the man’s expense.
Additionally, the fine will be increased for every day past the deadline. Miles smiled to himself. Should he call his neighbor?
Remembering His Attitude
Miles thought about calling him, but then he thought about everything that the man had done. He had a poor attitude just because he could.
Miles had even tried to warn him about the policies in place, but the man closed his front door in his face after taking the bottle of wine from him. He deserved what was coming to him.
Waiting
Miles knew that the man was enjoying his summer home while his property only grew in size due to the pavers. At least, that’s what he thought.
Miles looked at his property now and smiled. The notices alone would make the man lose his mind. But that wasn’t any of Miles’ business, as he recalled.
Karma
The month flew by, and the man still hasn’t returned from his summer home. Just a week after the deadline, Miles was in for quite a show.
He sat back and watched as they unceremoniously moved the golf cart. Then, they came back for the cherry-red sports car.
Towing
After they had towed both vehicles away, they began to tear out the fence poles one by one. All Miles could do was watch with satisfaction on his face. The man really had it coming now.
He had tried to warn him, but it was too late for that now. All he could do was sit back and observe karma doing its work.
Getting To Work
Then, the pavers were ripped out and hauled away, and the old rickety fence posts and ropes were replaced with new ones.
This time, they were replaced with metal posts with steel cables that were deeply embedded in the ground with concrete. It was all done just so that Miles’ neighbor could never exploit them again.
None The Wiser
There was no way they would ever be moved now. The process took weeks, and Miles’ rude neighbor was none the wiser.
He was still enjoying his vacation while all of this was going down. Miles couldn’t help but smile as he watched them wreak havoc on his property, bringing it back to the proper size.
Finishing Up
When the contractors finished their work, the reserve was secured behind steel. Solar-powered cameras were even installed to monitor the wildlife remotely.
Miles didn’t like the look but knew it was necessary and was happy that it meant no one else could exploit it. Next, the notices on the neighbor’s door grew with each week.
Glee
Miles waited with a mixture of glee and anxiety for his neighbor to arrive back home. He was definitely in for a surprise.
He fantasized about how the man would react. Would he learn his lesson? Or would he angrily find anyone to blame, including Miles? He doubted that the man would ever learn.
He Arrived
It was November when the man finally came back. Miles was in for another show. He watched him pull into the drive and walk up to the front door, which was now festooned with notices.
The man read them one by one with a look of incredulity before digging out the first notice. Then, he ran out to his backyard and began to scream.
Fury
The man rushed back to his car to fetch his cell phone and then proceeded to call the county to find out where his sports car and golf cart were, unleashing a torrent of curses in his blind rage.
Miles watched quietly from the window, smiling to himself. But the poetic justice of it all was still to come.
Justice
Three days later, the man confronted Miles, demanding to know if he was there when the county “stole his car and destroyed his backyard.” Miles kept his smile to himself but wouldn’t lie about it.
Miles replied that yes, he saw it all. “Well, why didn’t you call me when you saw them putting notices on my door?!”
Revenge
“You had my number up North!” Miles paused before replying. He said that he had thought about calling but figured that it would be best if he “minded his own damn business.”
The man scowled angrily at Miles, but he wasn’t done. He generally wasn’t a petty man, but he wanted to make sure the man felt the weight of his actions.
A Reminder
“If you were a little friendlier to me, maybe I would have considered it. But if you recall correctly, the night I tried making peace, you took my generous gift and slammed the door in my face.”
The man recoiled in anger, realizing the mistakes he had made. He told Miles that he would regret doing this, but he knew he was only bluffing.
Better Neighbors
Fast forward a month later, and his neighbor had moved out.It wasn’t long until a new person bought the property. They were a retiree like Miles, and they quickly got along well.
Miles was grateful that he had a new friend to talk to because even though he didn’t want to admit it, he was often lonely without Megan.
Good Retirement
Finally, Miles got the retirement that he had deserved. Even if Megan wasn’t there to see it, at least he knew she was watching him from heaven, happy that he went ahead and got it.
It was a good retirement, and Miles never looked back. There was never another incident with any of his neighbors, and he looked forward to the day he’d be reunited with his wife.