Retaliation
It had been happening for a while now, and the man had tried everything to stop it. Every early morning, his neighbor would hit his fence, causing damage.
It had started as a harmless mishap on his neighbor’s part, and the man had all but looked past it.
But it soon became a habit, causing him to retaliate in a way he never thought possible.
This Is War
He’d spent hours devising a plan that would teach his neighbor a lesson. With balled fists and gritted teeth, he’d vowed to bring an end to this issue.
He set his plan in motion, and before he knew it, his neighbor took the bait.
As he saw the trap snare his neighbor, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of satisfaction. This was, after all, war.
Meet Jerry
But Jerry Pork Reed had never been a malicious man at heart. He was a kind and loving war vet in his seventies, trying to live out the rest of his days in his quaint property in Texas.
Jerry had lived a good life and, by all accounts, was happy with how everything had turned out. All his kids were grown and out of the house, and he and his wife were enjoying their sunset years.
Jerry had no clue that trouble was already heading his way.
A Beautiful Home
It all started with his new neighbor, the Johnsons, who had moved right beside his property. There had been a housing development there that the Johnsons had snagged out of the market.
The house was beautiful, blending perfectly with the picturesque neighborhood that Jerry and his family called home.
But it wouldn’t be long before this paradise turned into a nightmare.
Meeting The Johnsons
The first time Jerry met the Johnsons, he thought they were standup folks. Their dad, Tom, was a new father, barely in his forties. He worked in one of the ranches just outside town and drove a massive Ford truck that always woke everyone up whenever he left early in the morning.
His wife, Maria, was an accountant in town. Their daughters, twins Emelda and Esme, were only eighteen months old and would spend most of their days at home with a babysitter.
Jerry should have known that there was more than met the eye when it came to this family.
Saying “Hi”
Being a man who had seen the world dozens of times over, Jerry knew it was only right to go over and introduce himself and his wife, Henrietta. It was the right thing to do, after all.
He was lucky enough to find the Johnsons at the house. After a quick greeting and some good-natured banter, Jerry and Henrietta returned home and called it a night.
But the next day, a loud bang clutched them from their sleep.
It’s Still Dark
The sun was barely out, yet the loud bang reverberated throughout Jerry’s house. He sprung up, his spine old yet still strong. Henrietta looked at him with wide eyes. She’d heard it, too.
Jerry reached for his firearm and asked her to stay put. As someone who’d spent decades in the Marine Corps, he knew his way around self-defense.
“I’ll be a minute,” he whispered, exiting the room.
Sweep The House
The sound that woke Jerry up sounded like someone had rammed into his house. It had been loud and jarring, hurling pounds of fear into his body.
With a deep breath, he swept the house, from the living room to the kitchen and guest room, looking for structural damage. But he couldn’t see anything.
This would change the moment he stepped outside.
No Breach
Although it was dark out, Jerry could see clearly. He’d lined his property with security lights that shone brightly, showering his front and backyard with light.
He looked around, his weapon held tightly. He couldn’t see any breach in his property.
Well, that was until he walked down the driveway and glanced toward the Johnsons’ compound.
A Beautiful Hedge
The Johnsons’ compound was so close to Jerry’s that they almost shared fences. But while the Johnsons’ compound had a stone fence, Jerry’s boasted a pristine hedge that he and Henrietta had poured everything they had to grow and maintain.
The hedge was lined with a tall enough stone curb that would protect it from being run over by vehicles.
But from what Jerry was looking at, it was clear that the curb hadn’t worked.
The Gaping Hole
A large hole gaped out the once beautiful hedge, lit by a truck’s headlight. Jerry’s lips parted as he neared the truck. He wasn’t sure who it was and was flabbergasted that someone would drive so far away from the main road to crash into his fence.
Anger flared within Jerry. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to take action even though the truck was on his property.
But Jerry did the unexpected, something he’d soon regret.
It’s Tom’s Ford
Jerry threw his weapon aside and dashed to the vehicle, hoping whoever was inside wasn’t hurt. He could see that the vehicle had gone clean through his high stone curb. But that didn’t matter now.
Worried, Jerry neared the vehicle. But as he got closer, he realized he’d seen the truck before.
It was the massive Ford truck his neighbor loved driving.
Is He Drunk?
“Tom?” Jerry called frantically, and Tom waved a hand, letting out a heavy laugh. “Corner came out of nowhere,” he said gleefully. Jerry couldn’t help but wonder if the man was inebriated.
He helped Tom come out of the truck and spent the next few minutes ensuring that he had no injuries or a possible concussion.
But as he did this, he realized something else.
See Ya Soon!
No alcohol scent came off of Tom. His breath was free of any alcohol odor, and his pupils weren’t dilated. His heart was still thundering, adrenaline still choking his veins.
“Are you alright?” Jerry asked him. But Tom didn’t seem fazed at all. He walked to the front of his truck and assessed the damage before letting out a laugh and hurrying back in.
“See ya soon!” he yelled and reversed into the awaiting darkness. The end was here.
Nothing A Few Hours Won’t Fix
Jerry didn’t know what to make of what he’d just witnessed. He looked at his damaged fence, from the curb to the hedge he and his wife had poured all their hearts into.
“Nothing a few hours of work won’t fix,” he sighed, opting to fix the mess instead of butting heads with his neighbor.
But letting Tom go would be a mistake that would change his life forever.
Get It Done
Jerry spent the day fixing the curb. He sourced rocks from the local mine and mixed sand and concrete. He brought his gardening tools, too, knowing he needed to give this his all.
The whole repair took him six good hours, each more grueling than the last. But at last, the fence was fixed, and Jerry could take a breather.
He should have known that his neighbor wasn’t done with it just yet.
A Loud Bang
Jerry returned to the house exhausted. After a long shower and a hearty dinner, he spent the rest of his day with Henrietta, enjoying a good night after a long day of work.
Hours later, he was in bed, asleep. But just like the previous day, a loud bang clutched him from his dreams.
He woke with a start, frantically trying to piece everything together. Was he dreaming, or did the same thing just happen again?
It Happens Again
“Outside,” Henrietta said, jutting her chin at a faint light struggling to shine through the thick curtains. Jerry wasted no time hurrying outside. He already knew what to expect.
“Tom!” he called out the moment his eyes landed on the Ford truck.
His neighbor was already out, assessing the damage to the vehicle with a grin. What he’d say would leave Jerry speechless.
Good Morning!
“She can take anything!” Tom said gleefully, slapping his truck’s massive bumper. He didn’t acknowledge the fact that he’d ruined his neighbor’s property yet again or that he’d woken Jerry and Henrietta up.
Jerry waited for him to apologize or at least acknowledge his actions. But Tom stared at him for a second before turning away.
“Good morning!” he declared and hurried back into his truck before reversing and driving off.
Overpowering Passions
Jerry had never been a person to let his passions take over. But he was starting to sense a pattern here that he didn’t like. It all made his blood boil within him.
He turned around and walked back to the house, knowing he’d have to spend yet another day fixing his fence instead of catering to his daily errands.
It would only be a matter of time before Tom’s actions forced him to do the unthinkable. He had had enough of this.
Breaking Point
Days turned into weeks, and the relentless cycle continued. Tom’s reckless morning escapades became a daily torment for Jerry and Henrietta.
The beautiful hedge, once a symbol of their dedication, was now a constant reminder of their neighbor’s thoughtless actions.
Jerry’s patience wore thin, and his internal struggle intensified with each passing day. It was like Tom was doing it on purpose.
Unanswered Questions
Jerry couldn’t comprehend why Tom seemed hell-bent on destroying their peaceful existence. Late-night conversations with Henrietta revolved around unanswered questions.
Was it a personal vendetta, or did Tom find joy in the chaos he caused? Jerry’s military instincts urged him to confront Tom, but he hesitated, hoping the madness would end on its own.
However, his patience was wearing very thin.
Not A Care In The World
One fateful evening, as Jerry surveyed the damage to the fence, he saw Tom approaching with his vehicle. The very same vehicle which had been causing so much havoc.
Jerry tried to wave him down, but it was no use.
Tom raced down the street and honked his horn at Jerry without a care in the world.
Frustrated
“This guy clearly doesn’t care what he’s done to our fence, Henrietta. He saw me trying to wave him down, but he kept going. In fact, I think he floored the accelerator just to pass me faster.”
Henrietta listened to her husband, and she could see how frustrated he was getting by the day.
And when Jerry was angry, he wasn’t a person you would want to be around.
Trying To Keep His Composure
She could see that look in his eyes that she had hoped she would never see again. He was fuming and was trying his best to keep himself composed.
But the more Tom crashed into the hedge, the more furious Jerry was getting, and Henrietta could see the build-up.
She hoped that Jerry would be able to hold his temper at bay.
Fixing It Again
Jerry fixed his fence yet again. But this time, he made up his mind to march to Tom’s house as soon as evening came. He’d speak to him, man to man, and issue a stern warning. He’d never been an angry man, but today, he’d have to be.
Evening came, and Jerry went to talk to Tom. He explained how much time and resources rebuilding his fence took.
He also gave his warning, asking Tom to drive carefully. But even then, he could see the defiance in the man’s eyes.
It’s Just A Fence
Although Jerry didn’t speak on it, he’d noticed the lack of respect in his neighbor’s eyes and voice. Tom acted like Jerry was just an old geezer who was seemingly too obsessed with his fence.
“It’s just a fence, Jere,” he said with a laugh, although his eyes were narrowed as if he were issuing his own warning.
But he’d soon learn who he was messing with.
Relax
Jerry spent the night worried that his neighbor would run into his fence again. He’d already spent a few hundred dollars fixing it. He’d also lost out on money because he wasn’t working on his farm for two days.
Collectively, this Tom situation had lost him close to two thousand dollars. “I already warned him,” he told Henrietta when she asked him to relax.
“Please don’t do anything rash,” she said. But even she knew her husband had reached his limit.
A Sleepless Night
The night was filled with tension as Jerry lay in bed, unable to shake the worry that gnawed at him. The distant sounds of crickets and the occasional howl of a lone coyote were drowned out by the echoes of Tom’s reckless driving.
Henrietta, sensing her husband’s unrest, held him close, trying to provide comfort in the face of their escalating predicament.
But lines of war had already been drawn, and there was little hug could do now.
The Morning After
Morning broke, and Jerry hesitated to check the state of his beloved hedge. Reluctantly, he walked outside, fearing the worst. As he approached, the sight that greeted him was heart-wrenching.
Tom had struck again, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
The beautiful hedge lay in ruins, and Jerry’s frustration turned into an overwhelming rage.
No Joke
Henrietta looked at her husband. His face was red with anger as he once again assessed the damage that was done to their property. She knew that this would not end well.
The husband’s patience was up, and this guy wasn’t making it any easier for them.
When will it stop, and most of all, why on earth was he doing this? This was no longer a joke.
Don’t Stop Me
“I’ve had just about enough of this, Henrietta. I’ve tried to keep my anger in as much as I could, but I just can’t anymore.”
“This guy has been testing my patience, and now I have none of it left. I know what I’m going to do, and please don’t stop me because this guy deserves everything that is coming his way.”
Henrietta’s eyes widened in shock.
Fearing The Worst
She had never seen her husband this angry in a long time. She hoped the situation with the hedge would die down, but it didn’t. It just got worse, and now, Jerry was basically a ticking time bomb waiting to explode at any minute.
She didn’t know what he was going to do, but she feared the worst.
She knew exactly what her beloved husband was capable of.
The Monster Within
Henrietta Reed was among the few people who truly knew who Jerry was. While many saw him as a harmless old soul with a beautiful farm, Henrietta knew what kind of monster he could turn to when provoked.
She’d been with him since his twenties and had stood by him as he went to tour after tour. She’d watched war change him, and she’d witnessed love rebuild him.
She knew the kind of violence that had turned him into the gentle soul he was. But she also knew that the monster was never truly gone. It was just hibernating.
Warn Them
For the first time in more than thirty years, Henrietta saw a dangerous glint in her husband’s eyes. She saw the lust for war that had once consumed him in his heydays, and it sent a cold shiver down her spine.
She picked up the phone immediately and called the Johnsons, hoping to find Maria, Tom’s wife.
She understood that sometimes, the best way to reason with a man was to reason with his heart.
Jerry’s Heart
Henrietta had long been Jerry’s heart. Through her, he’d found peace and hope. He’d found someone to listen to and confide in. Henrietta hoped Maria was this for Tom.
She warned her about Jerry’s anger, asking her to implore Tom to relent. She’d seen firsthand how terrible her husband could be.
She knew he wouldn’t let Tom walk after everything he’d done.
She’s Seen It All
Henrietta had seen everything that Jerry was. She’d seen him charge headfirst into dangerous situations. One time, they’d been accosted by criminals at a bank, and Jerry had stepped in immediately.
All Henrietta heard was, “Stay here with the kids,” before she heard thumps rent the room as if large sacks of potatoes were falling over.
Suddenly, Jerry was back, covered in sweat and red splatters. “It’s safe.”
At The Cinema
In another instance, she’d seen him stand up to some ruffians in a street one late night. She had just had their first child, Eric, and was still in her late twenties.
Jerry had taken her to dinner and a movie at the local cinema, and everything had been going well.
But it all came crashing down the moment they left the cinema.
The Dark Of The Parking Lot
Three men accosted them in the dark of the parking lot as they got into their car. They flashed weapons and made their demands. But instead of being fearful, Jerry protectively stepped before Henrietta.
“There’s no need for all of this,” he told the men, digging into his pocket.
He produced his wallet, which had a few dollar bills inside. But the man didn’t want the wallet.
Her Wedding Ring
They had their eyes on Henrietta’s wedding ring. Although the ring wasn’t much, it had a small black stone that shone in the parking lot’s light. “The ring,” the group’s leader demanded. But he didn’t stop there.
He snatched Jerry’s wallet and quickly emptied its contents. “Your watches,” one of his associates barked.
“It’s fine,” Jerry said, taking off his watch. He nodded to Henrietta, and she did the same. But the men weren’t done.
He Wants The Ring
“The ring!” the leader demanded. “Give me the ring, or you’ll regret it.” Jerry used his body to hide Henrietta. “There’s no need for that,” he said. “The ring won’t help. It’s only sentimental. He removed a necklace he’d been wearing under his shirt and offered it.
“This will fetch a better price on the market, okay?” he implored. But the man seemed to have his eyes on the ring.
He took the necklace and reached and lunged at Henrietta, and that’s when it happened.
A Cold Snarl
Jerry caught him, locking him in place. “Close your eyes, honey,” he instructed, his voice cut into a cold snarl. Henrietta did, clenching when wet sounds rang. She heard a yell, and something hit the ground.
“It’s fine now,” Jerry said and hugged her. But he wouldn’t let her see what was behind him.
He helped her into their car, insisting that she only look at him and not outside. “I’ve already phoned the authorities,” he said.
More Instances
Of course, there were even more instances like this where Jerry stepped into dangerous situations and came out unscathed. In fact, these were among the tamest where he’d dispatched off the danger in mere seconds.
More scarier instances would come as he and Henrietta got older. With every year spent in the military, Jerry would seemingly get more dangerous as well as gentle.
He’d protect his town and family fiercely. But all this would change as he entered his senior years.
A One-Man Army
With all the kids now grown and Jerry well in his sixties, the need to always come to blows would ebb. He already had the respect and love of his town; over time, people forgot how dangerous he could be.
New additions to the town didn’t know anything about the one-man army that was Jerry Pork Reed, and Jerry would hope it would forever remain that way.
He didn’t want to be remembered as a man who ruled with an iron fist but rather an open, loving soul who always gave people second and third chances.
Pushing Their Luck
The Johnsons were really pushing their luck. That much was true. Henrietta hoped her call would help them see reason. Her talk with Maria was long but to the point. She told him how dangerous Jerry could be.
She recounted some of her husband’s highlights to the woman, from the military feats to the street scuffles and bank robbery shutdown.
She only wanted Mary to convince Tom to relent. But was she late?
She Doesn’t Care
Well, Mary agreed to talk to Tom. But her voice carried little care. It felt like she was only listening to Henrietta out of courtesy and not because she was truly worried about her husband or what could come out of this terrible situation.
She assured Henrietta that she’d heard her. “I’ll tell him to stop,” she said.
But it felt like she was saying all this just so Henrietta could stop calling.
Deep Breaths
Henrietta took a deep breath after the call was over. She’d seen Jerry work outside before she started the call. But now, she couldn’t see him. She hoped Tom would stop with his antics.
But that night, as she slept, a loud bang rang outside.
But tonight, there was something else, something that made Henrietta cover her ears.
Pain And Agony
Jerry sprung to his feet. But unlike the previous nights, his face wasn’t covered in worry but pure malice. He snuck to the window with an agileness Henrietta had never seen, moving so quickly and expertly that she only saw a blur.
“Got him,” he whispered as another scream rang outside. Pain and agony.
Henrietta could tell. That was the scream of a man who was in pure pain and agony.
The Worst Of Human Nature
Jerry hurried out of the room, and Henrietta followed. She could barely keep up with him, watching as the man she loved slipped from shadow to shadow, an expert, a true product of the worst of human nature – war.
Outside, Tom was hurling insults, his hand tugging his hair as he cried out. The entire front of his truck was stuck in a ditch, from which sharp metal spikes protruded, each implanting themselves into the engine.
The rear was stuck in the air, and the tires were still spinning.
Showtime
“He’s not hurt,” Jerry whispered before Henrietta could speak. He was sure of it as if he’d accounted for the depth of the ditch and length of the spikes. “But he won’t be driving that thing anytime soon.”
On seeing Jerry, Tom turned with wild eyes, approaching the older man with murderous intent. But he stopped in place as Jerry stepped up to meet him.
Something in the older man’s eyes made him second-guess his decision.
The Final Warning
“This is my final warning,” Jerry declared. “Drive carefully, okay neighbor?”
“Okay, okay,” Tom said, fear lacing his words. He backed away, tail between his legs and his eyes broad.
Jerry turned to Henrietta, the harsh lines on his face fading away. With a sad, weary smile, he hugged her, tightly wrapping his arms around her and letting out a heavy sigh. “I hope I never have to do such a thing again,” he confessed.
The Unsettled Peace
From that night onward, a tense peace settled over the neighborhood. Tom, humbled by the encounter with Jerry’s wrath, refrained from his reckless behavior. The Johnsons’ compound, once filled with chaos, became strangely quiet.
Jerry, however, couldn’t shake off the unease that lingered within him. The monster that had briefly awakened in him left scars on his soul.
He had never wanted to resort to such measures, but the relentless provocation had pushed him to his limits.
A Noticeable Change
As weeks passed, Jerry observed a noticeable change in Tom’s demeanor. The man who had once seemed indifferent and careless now appeared more cautious. The Johnsons’ daughters played in the yard, and Tom’s truck stayed parked, a silent testimony to the unspoken truce.
The neighborhood, too, returned to its peaceful state. The early mornings were no longer disrupted by the sounds of destruction.
The fence, now reinforced with extra care, stood as a symbol of resilience.
Regrets and Reflections
Jerry spent quiet evenings on his porch, reflecting on the events that had unfolded. He regretted unleashing the dormant warrior within him but understood that sometimes, drastic actions were the only way to make a point.
He pondered the fragility of peace and how easily it could be disrupted.
The ordeal with Tom had left an indelible mark, reminding him that beneath the surface of tranquility, there could be a storm waiting to be unleashed.
Neighbors United
Over time, Jerry and Tom found a way to coexist. A wary truce lingered between them, but it was better than the open hostility that had once defined their relationship. The neighborhood, witnessing the change, gradually healed from the tension that had gripped it.
In a surprising turn of events, the two families even started sharing occasional meals and exchanging pleasantries.
It seemed that adversity had brought an unexpected unity among the neighbors.
The Resilience of Hedges
The hedge, though scarred, began to thrive once again. Jerry and Henrietta poured even more love and care into its rejuvenation.
It became a living testament to resilience, a reminder that even in the face of destruction, beauty could be reborn.
The story of Jerry and Tom became a chapter in the community’s history, teaching lessons of tolerance, understanding, and the unexpected strength that lies within the bonds of neighbors.
A Lasting Legacy
As the seasons changed, the memory of the feud between Jerry and Tom started to fade. The neighborhood, once marked by tension, now stood as a testament to the resilience of human connections. Jerry, despite his regrettable actions, became a figure of wisdom for the younger generations.
He shared his experiences with those willing to listen, emphasizing the importance of communication and finding peaceful solutions.
The tale of the feuding neighbors became folklore, a lesson passed down from one generation to another.
Time’s Healing Touch
In the ensuing years, the scars on the hedge and the repaired fence became less prominent. Time had a way of healing both physical and emotional wounds. The neighborhood flourished, its sense of community stronger than ever.
Jerry and Henrietta continued to live out their days in the beautiful home they had built together.
They had become the pillars of wisdom, proof that even the most challenging conflicts could lead to lasting harmony.
A Quiet Sunset
As the sun set on their tranquil neighborhood, Jerry and Henrietta sat on their porch, hand in hand. The memories of the tumultuous times had become distant echoes. The sounds of laughter from the Johnsons’ backyard and the chirping of crickets filled the air.
Jerry gazed at the now-thriving hedge, a symbol of enduring strength. He whispered words of gratitude for the peace that had settled over their lives.
In the quiet of the evening, they marveled at the beauty that had emerged from the chaos.
Looking Back
And so, the story of Retaliation unfolded into a narrative of redemption, resilience, and the enduring power of community. The neighborhood, once divided by conflict, had transformed into a haven of understanding and forgiveness.
As Jerry and Henrietta embraced the serenity of their golden years, they knew that life’s journey was unpredictable, marked by challenges that could either break or build.
In their hearts, they carried the lessons learned from the feud that had tested their limits but ultimately led to an unexpected unity.