Ready To Fight
It had barely been two weeks since the funeral, a month since the accident. The boy was still getting used to his new life that day when the letter arrived. They wanted him out. His grandparents barely knew how to tell him.
As the last bit of light threatened to leave the teen’s eyes, his grandmother knew what she would have to do.
She would fight tooth and nail to keep the boy safe, and those self-important villains had no idea how far she was willing to go. She pulled out her phone and called for backup.
A Tragic Accident
70-year-old Melanie Newman had put her own grief for her son’s death on hold when she and her husband, Paul, took in their grandson.
Just a fortnight ago, 15-year-old Josh Woods had lost both his parents in a devastating car crash.
After the funeral, the teen had been forced to move from his childhood home in California to his grandparents’ home in Youngtown, Arizona. The retirement community wasn’t the ideal place for a teenage boy, but they were the only family he had.
Surrounded By Gossip
Melanie could see how Josh struggled to adapt to the neighborhood. Not only was he grieving his parents, but he was surrounded by old people. And to make matters worse, they all knew what had happened to him.
The community was notorious for its gossip, which traveled fast. It wasn’t helped by the fact that his parent’s accident had been on the national news.
He got pitying looks every time he passed someone in the neighborhood. She could tell it drove him crazy.
Shooting Hoops
The elderly couple had done all they could to make Josh feel safe and at home.
They were a close-knit family, but living together was different from occasional visits. Melanie and Paul wanted to do all they could to support their grandson.
Knowing his fondness for basketball, Paul had set up a hoop against the wall in their driveway. It was an outlet for the teen, a way for him to deal with his emotions. Every afternoon, he was out there, headphones on, in his own world.
Nosy Neighbors
Josh’s grandparents were glad that their efforts were working and that he had something to help him cope.
But not everyone in the community particularly appreciated his enthusiasm for the sport. Melanie noticed that her grandson’s activities were starting to draw neighbors’ attention.
She had seen faces peering between blinds, watching as he dribbled and tossed the ball around each afternoon. She hoped that they were just curious, that the noise wasn’t bothering them. However, she didn’t realize just how far the community’s complaints would go.
Fake Sympathy
It was an average weekday afternoon, and Josh was helping his grandma unload groceries from the car.
He had just disappeared inside when one of their nosy neighbors, Barbara, showed up. “Pity about the accident,” the woman said, her voice laced with fake sympathy.
Melanie wasn’t particularly fond of Barbara. She gave her a polite smile and headed for her front door. “Is he living with you now?” she heard behind her. “It’s just unusual to see a teenager hanging around our neighborhood.”
An Annoying Woman
Melanie turned around, gritting her teeth. Barbara clearly knew what had happened; how could she have the audacity to ask such a thing? “Since his parents are both dead, yes, he is,” she replied coldly.
Narrowing her eyes, Barbara responded curtly, “I see. Have a good afternoon.” She strode off without another word, taking her phone out and immediately calling someone.
Melanie rolled her eyes at the gossip she assumed the woman would soon spread. But Barbara was doing more than just spreading rumors.
A Confusing Visitor
The following morning, Barbara was in the middle of baking a fresh batch of cookies when her doorbell rang. She opened the door to find another of her neighbors, Helen. She was notorious for being the nosiest woman in their community.
It just so happened that she was also the president of the homeowners association.
“Hi, Melanie. I heard your grandson’s living with you now.” Melanie barely had a chance to nod before Helen continued with a smirk, “I just want to make sure everyone is accounted for.” What on earth did that mean?
Helen’s Return
Melanie was puzzled by the woman’s words but mostly just glad she had left quickly. However, her joy came too soon. A few hours later, Helen was back at her door, this time with a neatly folded piece of paper.
“He needs to go. You have a week. Goodbye,” Helen said arrogantly. She left before Melanie could fully process what she said.
As she unfolded the paper, her stomach dropped. The letter’s contents were sure to destroy what was left of their family forever.
Kicking Him Out
Sitting at the kitchen table, Josh spotted the shocked expression on her face. “What’s wrong, Grandma?” Paul looked up from his newspaper, too. “What’s that, love?” he asked, gesturing to the letter.
“It’s… It’s from the HOA,” she stammered. “They’re saying Josh can’t live with us. They want him out within a week.”
Her shock quickly turned into fury – how dare they? What right did they have to kick him out? Her eyes widened when she read further. She realized the HOA was not going to go down without a fight.
They’re Heartless
The distraught grandmother couldn’t believe her eyes. She knew all her neighbors had seen his story on the news. They knew what he was going through. They had been gossiping about it for days – Melanie wondered if they thought she didn’t know it.
How could these people, many of them with grandchildren of their own, just turn on a grieving child like that? How could they be so cruel?
She couldn’t imagine the heartless justification Helen would give for the HOA’s actions.
More Uncertainty
Josh’s grandparents could easily tell how despondent the news had made him. His shattered world had just started to settle down, but now he was faced with a new uncertainty. He had nowhere else to go.
Melanie and Paul knew they had no option except to fight the HOA on this. They refused to give up on their grandson’s happiness and refused to turn him out on the street.
Helen wouldn’t be ready for the havoc the elderly couple could cause when provoked.
Why Are They Doing This?
Before they could do anything, they would need to find out the reason for this demand.
Melanie steeled herself that morning, ready to give Helen a piece of her mind. She wasn’t scared to start a confrontation. This was her grandson’s life on the line.
She promised Paul and Josh that she would go over there tomorrow and find out what the HOA president had to say for herself. The battle was about to begin.
Not Backing Down
Helen only lived a couple of streets away, and as Melanie marched down the sidewalk, she passed whispering neighbors giving her judgmental glances, which only enraged her further.
Was she the only one who didn’t know what was going on in this place? And didn’t they have anything better to do?
She was seething when she reached the woman’s house, raising a wrinkled hand to bang on the door. She would not be backing down.
Confronting Helen
“Hi, Melanie. I thought I’d see you today,” Helen greeted her, the same smug smile on her face. Melanie was past niceties and politeness. “How dare you threaten my grandson? What right do you have?” she demanded.
“Oh, it’s not about my rights, honey,” the woman said sweetly. “It’s the law. Just check your housing contract, and you’ll see.” Then she slammed the door in Melanie’s face.
Fuming, the grandma rushed home to check the documents. She paled as she realized they had a problem.
In The Contract
“A resident must be 55 or older to live at the Youngtown complex,” the contract read. Melanie’s heart sank at the words.
Of course, she and Paul had known this five years ago when they bought their home – that was the point of a retirement community.
But for the HOA to be so callous when they knew Josh’s situation sent the grandmother into a rage. Couldn’t they make an exception? Where did they expect the teen to go?
Phoning A Friend
Melanie shared this new development with her husband.
Josh was still at school, and the couple were hoping to resolve this issue before he got back. They didn’t want any more pressure on the grieving boy.
At his wife’s urging, Paul called up his friend Bill, who was a member of the HOA board. They were hopeful that he would be kinder than Helen and possibly vouch for them. But Bill only had more bad news for them.
More Bad News
“I’m sorry, Paul. I tried to stand up for you, but I was outvoted. My hands are tied,” Bill apologized.
They understood his dilemma and appreciated his effort to help them. But he still had more to say.
“If Josh doesn’t move out by the deadline, they’re going to take you two on as well. They’ll try to get you evicted; claim that you’ve broken the contract that allows you to live here. Helen is out for blood, and I don’t know if anyone can stop her.”
Trying To Keep It Together
Melanie’s blood ran cold. They couldn’t afford to lose their home. They had spent most of their savings buying the place, and with the added costs of looking after Josh, they didn’t have the money for this.
Paul embraced his wife as her tears started falling, trying to keep his own composure. They had to keep it together; to come up with a plan.
That was how Josh found them when he walked in the door. It was obvious from his expression that he had put the pieces together. But what would he do with that information?
Blaming Himself
Melanie’s heart was breaking as she watched his reaction. After everything they had been through as a family, all the guilt he felt, it killed her that he might blame himself for this, too.
“I’ll ask my friends if I can stay with one of them,” the teen said shakily. “You’re not losing your home because of me.”
But his grandmother refused. “No, Josh. We’re a family. We’re sticking together; you’re not going anywhere.” She knew what she had to do now.
Calling The Backup
“I’m calling my brother,” she told the two of them. Paul’s eyes widened while Josh frowned.
“Great-Uncle Grant?” he asked. “What’s he going to do?” He’d only met the man a couple of times when he was young. He didn’t know what he was capable of.
But Melanie knew that her brother could help. He might have retired, but he was still a powerful influence in the community. And she knew he would wield that power to help his family.
Can You Help?
“Melanie?” her brother answered the phone, sounding concerned. It was unusual for her to call him on a weeknight.
“Hi, Grant,” she said. “We need your help.” She quickly explained the situation, emphasizing how the HOA was using their housing contract against them.
“Can you do something?” she pleaded. “I’ll be there first thing in the morning,” he promised. Melanie felt a little lighter as she hung up. Helen and her gang of heartless board members had no idea what was in store for them.
No Nonsense
When Grant arrived, they got straight to business. He was a no-nonsense man, and he carefully studied both the HOA’s letter and the Newmans’ housing contract. “It won’t be easy, but there’s a way,” he finally said.
Melanie would whatever was necessary; fight whoever she needed to make her grandson happy.
Now, with backup at the ready, she phoned Helen and set up a meeting with the HOA. She prayed that her brother’s plan could stop the woman’s plot in its tracks.
Her Secret Weapon
The atmosphere was tense at the community hall as the HOA meeting began. Eyes all around the table widened when they saw Grant walk in at his sister’s side. Helen shifted uncomfortably in her seat. A knowing smile tugged at Bill’s lips.
“Hi, folks,” Grant said sternly. “I’m here on behalf of the Newmans to let you know you’ll have to rescind your demand to have their grandson move out. Or you’ll face legal consequences.”
Helen scoffed immediately. “Excuse me? They’re the ones breaking the law.” Melanie smiled smugly – the nosy president was about to get her comeuppance.
Legal Loopholes
“No, honey,” she said sarcastically. “You’ll have to look again. Your housing contract’s stipulation that all residents have to be 55 or older is against the Civil Rights Act. You’re discriminating based on age.” Before Helen could speak, Grant took over.
“The Housing for Older Persons Act, which I’m sure you’re about to cite, stipulates that only 80% of the residents of a retirement community need to be over 55,” he said. “You’ll need some expensive lawyers to argue otherwise.”
Melanie smirked at the board members’ discomfort.
Battle Of Influence
Helen looked like she was going to boil over. But she knew she wouldn’t have a leg to stand on in court. Grant was too influential – no lawyer would want to go up against him. She stormed out of the room without another word.
Bill, the HOA’s vice president, happily rescinded their demand in her absence. With Helen’s influence gone, the rest of the cowardly board members quickly caved.
Melanie rushed home to tell Josh the good news.
Weight Lifting
She could see the weight lifting from her grandson’s shoulders as he realized he still had a home.
But he was still confused: Why was the board so afraid of Grant?
“Well, sweetheart,” she explained. “Your great-uncle has a major reputation. You see, he was an amazing lawyer once upon a time. He helped put away a lot of criminals, and he was really well-liked in our community.”
Not Just Any Lawyer
Josh was only marginally less confused. “But he’s retired now, right?” he asked his grandmother. “Why would they be worried about a retired lawyer?”
Melanie smiled. She was proud of her brother and eager for her grandson to know him better.
“He wasn’t just any lawyer, Josh. He used to be the District Attorney. He’s still a big influence in the community, and the media loves him. He could have taken the board to the court, sure. But more importantly, he could have exposed them to the public.”
Threatening Their Reputation
Melanie and Grant had based their plan around his influence in the media.
While he had found a legal loophole to threaten them with, the board knew the real danger would be to their public reputation – especially with Josh’s tragedy already being a national story.
Melanie knew that Helen’s weakness was her reputation. The arrogant and conceited woman wouldn’t dare go through with something that would ruin her in the public eye.
Finding His Place
With Josh now feeling more secure in his new home, the family could work through their grief together.
His love for basketball led him to join the team at his new school, further helping him find his place in the town. A new relationship with his great-uncle fostered an interest in going to law school one day.
Helen was removed from the HOA board soon after the ordeal. With Bill as the new president, Melanie and Paul didn’t have to worry about any more heartless demands. But they could never be totally sure if Helen was secretly plotting her revenge.