After returning from a business trip, Stella checks her security footage to get back into her routine and ensure everything is fine. However, she soon discovers that her neighbors have thrown an unauthorized Fourth of July party in her backyard.
Upon returning from my business trip, the first thing I did was review the security camera footage. A few weeks earlier, my boyfriend Nathan and I had watched a bizarre documentary about how people misuse others’ homes while they’re away.
“When the cat’s away, the mice will play,” Nathan had remarked. “You can’t always trust people, even in your own home.”
“I know!” I had agreed.
In the documentary, a servant took over a couple’s house while they were away, hosting wild parties and cleaning up before they returned. Now, sitting at my desk in my sweatpants, I watched the footage load, curious about our troublesome neighbors, the Jacobs.
The Jacobs had been a constant headache, always finding reasons to complain or call the police about noise, especially during the construction of my pool. Their favorite target was my pool parties once it was completed.
“You’re young, and you’re entitled to have pool parties, Stella,” Nathan had insisted when I wanted to invite friends over.
“I know,” I had said. “But they seem to hate it. They have teenage kids and host guests too, so you’d think they’d be used to noise.”
“Just keep doing your own thing,” Nathan advised. “We love our parties here.”
But my blood boiled when I saw the footage of the Jacobs celebrating the Fourth of July in my pool. They knew I was away for the week and took full advantage, having a grand time without my permission.
“That’s it!” I muttered, slamming my laptop shut. Furious, I grabbed my keys and marched to their door, determined to confront them.
Their nerve astounded me. They constantly argued with me, yet felt entitled to use my property when I was gone.
“Well, at least they stayed outside,” I thought.
When Mrs. Jacobs answered the door, she acted as if I was the one inconveniencing her.
“Oh, it’s you,” she rolled her eyes.
“Yes, it’s me!” I shouted. “Care to explain why you and your family were in my pool while I was gone?”
Mrs. Jacobs winced slightly before composing herself.
“Stop being such a drama queen,” she scoffed. “You barely use the pool anyway.”
My jaw dropped.
“That’s not the point! You trespassed! Do you realize how illegal that is?”
“Calm down, Stella,” she dismissed me. “We were just having some fun. Nothing bad happened.”
“Nothing bad happened?” I was livid. “I put those cameras up for a reason. You complained about the construction, but now you think you can use it without asking?”
Mrs. Jacobs smirked.
“Well, maybe if you weren’t such a nuisance, we wouldn’t have had to call the cops.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my anger.
“Fine, you want to play this game? Let’s play.”
Back home, I spent hours printing security camera images of the Jacobs in my pool.
Nathan walked in, concerned. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes,” I replied. “I’m tired of being taken advantage of.”
My business trip had been a disaster, filled with difficult people and technical issues. I needed to regain control over something, and dealing with the Jacobs was it.
“This is a bit much, Stella,” Nathan said, trying to soothe me.
“I have to show them this behavior is unacceptable,” I insisted.
I continued printing the images of the Jacobs having fun in my pool, adding bold letters at the bottom: Caution! Intruders in the area! Check your backyards!
“Oh, Stella,” Nathan chuckled. “I wonder how this will turn out.”
Early the next morning, we walked around the neighborhood, taping the posters to mailboxes and streetlights. Soon, the neighborhood buzzed with gossip.
By midday, the Jacobs were at my door, furious.
Mrs. Jacobs waved a poster in my face. “What is this?”
I smiled. “A warning about trespassers. Seemed necessary.”
“You need to take these down now!” she shouted.
“Or what?” I crossed my arms. “You’ll call the cops on me again?”
She struggled for words, but Mr. Jacobs intervened.
“You’ve embarrassed us,” he said.
“No, you embarrassed yourselves by trespassing,” I retorted.
Mrs. Jacobs jabbed a finger at my chest. “If you don’t take those down, I will…”
“You’ll what?” I interrupted, grabbing my phone. “Let’s see.”
I dialed 911. Their shocked expressions were priceless.
“911, what’s your emergency?” the operator asked.
“I need to report trespassing,” I said, glaring at the Jacobs. “I have video evidence.”
Mrs. Jacobs went pale. “Stella, you wouldn’t dare.”
“Watch me,” I said.
When the police arrived, I showed them the footage. The Jacobs tried to defend themselves, but the evidence was clear. They had no right to use my pool.
The officer nodded. “You can press charges if you want.”
“No, a warning is enough for now,” I said. “But if it happens again, I will press charges.”
The officer took notes. “Understood. We’ll file a report.”
As the police left, Mrs. Jacobs glared at me. “You’ll regret this.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Stay off my property.”
They stormed off, and I felt vindicated. The Jacobs wouldn’t mess with me again, and the neighborhood would remember this incident.
Later that evening, I sat by my pool, enjoying the peace and quiet. A few days later, my elderly neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, stopped by as I was gardening.
“Hello, dear,” she said. “I heard about the Jacobs. Is everything alright?”
I wiped my brow. “Yes, Mrs. Thompson. I just needed to set some boundaries.”
She nodded knowingly. “You did the right thing. It’s important to stand up for yourself. I’ll bring you some scones.”
What would you have done in my situation?
