That night, as Edna lay in bed, she decided to take action. She wouldn’t burden Tom with this issue but was determined to protect her lawn as Harold would have wanted.
The next day, while searching the garage for a small rake, Edna spotted an old canister filled with small, sharp tacks. An idea began to form. That night, under cover of darkness, she sprinkled the tacks across the area where the truck usually parked. The tiny points glinted faintly in the moonlight, blending in with the grass.
The following morning, Edna heard the unmistakable sound of air hissing from tires. Looking out the window, she saw the neighbor’s truck sitting on four flat tires. A smile spread across her face as she watched the man’s face flush with confusion and anger.
The man, realizing what had happened, stormed over to Edna’s house, pounding on her door. “You did this, didn’t you? You’re going to pay for this!”
Edna kept her voice calm. “You parked on my lawn. I asked you to stop, and you ignored me. This is my property.”
The man’s anger escalated, but Edna was prepared. She had already called the police. As sirens approached, she stood her ground, while the man continued to rage.
When the police arrived, the man accused Edna of ruining his truck. The officer asked Edna to explain the situation. She described how she had repeatedly asked them to stop parking on her lawn, how they had ignored her, and how she had taken steps to protect her property.
The officers inspected the tire marks and tacks. “It looks like you’ve been parking on her lawn,” one officer said to the man. “That’s considered trespassing. She had every right to protect her property.”
The man’s expression fell as the officer continued. “You’ll be charged with harassment, trespassing, and property damage. I suggest you stay off her lawn from now on.”
The man, defeated, accepted the ticket and left. Edna watched as he walked away, relieved that her lawn would no longer be under threat.
In the days that followed, the neighbors kept their distance, and their truck never touched her lawn again. Edna took comfort in knowing she had defended her home and the memories it held.
Later, sitting on her porch with a cup of tea as the sun set, Edna felt a sense of peace. She had stood up for herself and for the home she and Harold had cherished.