I knew I had to do something when my new neighbors put up a camera in my garden. What began as a simple plan to teach them a lesson about privacy turned into a crazy show that got the attention of the police, which had effects I could not have imagined.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s funny how life can take you by surprise. I never thought I\u2019d become an amateur actress to teach my nosy neighbors a lesson.<\/p>\n
Carla and Frank moving in next door was the start of it all. At first, they seemed nice, if a little\u2026 off.<\/p>\n
I gave them a basket of tomatoes from my yard and said, \u201cWelcome to the neighborhood.\u201d \u201cMy name is Zoe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carla looked around quickly and nervously. \u201cThanks.\u201d We care a lot about security. Do you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t, but I still nodded. I had no idea what that would mean for me.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
After a week, I came home from seeing my mom to find a strange thing in my garden. I saw a small black item under the eaves of their house while I sat in my swimsuit and took care of my beloved tomatoes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that a screen?\u201d While looking at it, I muttered. When I saw that it was directed right at my yard, my blood ran cold.<\/p>\n
I walked over to their house in my swimsuit and banged on the door. Frank replied, looking irritated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy does that camera look at my yard?\u201d I asked for.<\/p>\n
He gave a shrug. \u201cIt\u2019s for safety.\u201d The fence must not be climbed.<\/p>\n
I just stuttered, \u201cThat\u2019s silly.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re getting too close to me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Carla showed up behind him. She said in a cold voice, \u201cWe have the right to protect our property.\u201d<\/p>\n
I walked away angry. I could have gone to court with them, but who has time or money to do that? No, I needed a different method.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when I called my friends.<\/p>\n
I told Samantha, \u201cI need your help.\u201d \u201cWhat do you think about some\u2026 performance art?\u201d<\/p>\n
She laughed. \u201cI\u2019m interested.\u201d Tell me more.<\/p>\n
I told everyone what I was going to do, and soon we had a full crew. Miguel, who works here and is great at special effects, and Harriet, who loved all costumes.<\/p>\n
I thought about whether I was going too far as planned. \u201cAre we sure about this, guys?\u201d I asked at the end of our meeting.<\/p>\n
Samantha touched my shoulder. \u201cZoe, they\u2019ve checked up on you for weeks.\u201d They need to understand this.<\/p>\n
Miguel said \u201cyes.\u201d \u201cIt will also be fun!\u201d \u201cWhen was the last time we did something so crazy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Harriet made a face. \u201cThe costumes are already being made.\u201d Now you can\u2019t back out!\u201d<\/p>\n
Their excitement made me feel good, and my worries went away. \u201cOkay, let\u2019s do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next Saturday, we got together in my garden dressed in the silliest clothes you can think of. Over my scuba suit, I wore a tutu and a bright green wig.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you ready for the biggest garden party ever?\u201d Laughed.<\/p>\n
Samantha made changes to her alien mask. \u201cLet us put on a show for those creeps that they will never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
We started with normal party games, if you can even call them normal when everyone is dressed like they just got out of the circus. We played games and danced while making sure the camera could see us.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Zoe!\u201d It was Miguel who called out, his pirate hat crooked. \u201cWhat\u2019s up with your mom?\u201d<\/p>\n
I smiled as I thought about my recent trip. \u201cShe\u2019s fine. Her friend\u2019s son is still on the hook for me.<\/p>\n
Harriet laughed, and her Red Riding Hood cape moved around. \u201cThat mom move.\u201d Did you let her know about the camera?\u201d<\/p>\n
I turned my head away. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t want to bother her.\u201d She would likely come over here herself and tell them what she thinks.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest,\u201d Samantha said, \u201cthat might have been fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
We all laughed as we imagined my sassy mom yelling at Carla and Frank. Then it was time for the big event.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo way!\u201d I screamed and pointed at Samantha. \u201cShe was stabbed!\u201d<\/p>\n
Miguel quickly pulled out a ketchup-covered rubber knife. \u201cDamn, she came for it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Samantha fell sharply, and ketchup \u201cblood\u201d started to pool around her. We all got angry and started running around in a panic.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould we call the cops?\u201d When Harriet yelled, her cape flapped as she hopped around.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we need to hide the body!\u201d I yelled back.<\/p>\n
I felt a chill go down my spine all of a sudden. The curtain next door moved. Had someone seen us? After that, the only sound that broke the creepy silence was our rough breathing.<\/p>\n
Our eyes darted back and forth as we stood still. At that moment, the weight of our made-up crime felt all too real. Somewhere far away, a dog barked, which made us all jump.<\/p>\n
We didn\u2019t know what would happen next, so time seemed to drag on, and each second felt like an eternity.<\/p>\n
Miguel dropped the ketchup-stained knife with a shaking hand. She was still lying on the ground and was barely able to breathe. The air got thick with stress and pressed down on us like a force.<\/p>\n
It was hard for me to swallow because my mouth was dry. My mind was racing with silly ideas for how we could explain what happened to anyone who might have seen it. Are they going to think it was just a game? What if our stupid joke turned into something much worse?<\/p>\n
Somewhere down the street, a car door slammed. Our nerves were on edge, and we all jerked at the same time. The sound of footsteps seemed to echo through the silence, getting louder as time went on. Had someone called the police?<\/p>\n
We heard sirens far away at that moment. I said in a whisper, \u201cShowtime.\u201d \u201cEveryone quickly go inside!\u201d<\/p>\n
She was dragged inside, the ketchup was cleaned up, and we were back to normal in record time. When the cops came to my door, we were all sitting at the table, looking like nothing was wrong.<\/p>\n
The cop looked confused and asked, \u201cIs everything okay here?\u201d<\/p>\n
I made the most worried citizen face I could give. \u201cOf course, officer.\u201d \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
She told them that there had been a report of a violent crime at this place. I faked shock and then let \u201crealization\u201d dawn on my face.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh!\u201d \u201cWe were just acting on the spot in the backyard,\u201d I explained. \u201cIt must have looked pretty real, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
The cop made a face. \u201cHow could someone see into your yard?\u201d \u201cThose fences are pretty tall.\u201d<\/p>\n
I let out a big sigh. \u201cThat\u2019s the real problem here, officer,\u201d The people next door have a camera pointed at my yard. I did not give them permission to record me.<\/p>\n
She raised an eyebrow. \u201cIs that true?\u201d I believe it is time to talk to your friends.<\/p>\n
From my window, we saw the cops go next door. Carla and Frank looked scared as they were being questioned.<\/p>\n
After an hour, the officer came back. \u201cMa\u2019am, I\u2019m afraid your neighbors have been spying on you without your permission.\u201d Their gear has been taken away, and they will be charged. Would you be willing to say something?\u201d<\/p>\n
I tried to act shocked. \u201cThat\u2019s awful!\u201d I had no idea it was that big. But, of course, I\u2019ll say something and go to court if it comes to that.<\/p>\n
When the cops left, my friends and I were happy about our win.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe it worked!\u201d Samantha was amused.<\/p>\n
Miguel put his glass up. \u201cTo Zoe, the master of vengeance!\u201d<\/p>\n
I smiled, but I couldn\u2019t help but feel something. \u201cDo you believe we went too far?\u201d<\/p>\n
That was all Harriet could say. \u201cThey got into your private space.\u201d They got what was coming to them.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The next day, I was back in my garden, where I could enjoy the sun without thinking about anyone looking at me. While I was taking care of my veggies, I saw Carla and Frank leave their house with their bags.<\/p>\n
Some of me felt bad, but then I thought about all the tapes they had of me. They had already made up their minds. It was my job to help them deal with the results.<\/p>\n
I smiled to myself as I picked a ripe tomato. Dealing with nosy neighbors outside of court isn\u2019t always the best option. Sometimes, coming up with creative solutions is the best way to go.<\/p>\n
If farming doesn\u2019t work out, I know I can still work in community theater, so that\u2019s something.<\/p>\n
Next week, Samantha and I were having coffee when she asked, \u201cSo, any news about Carla and Frank?\u201d<\/p>\n
I turned my head away. \u201cNot really.\u201d They left, and the police haven\u2019t called me back yet. It\u2019s possible that they chose not to press charges after all. I don\u2019t think I miss them, though.<\/p>\n
Samantha gave a grin. \u201cI bet they\u2019d think twice now about putting up cameras.\u201d<\/p>\n
I agreed and said, \u201cYeah.\u201d Then I stopped. \u201cYou know, sometimes I wonder if we should feel bad.\u201d It was kind of like we turned their lives upside down.<\/p>\n
Samantha gave me a strange look. She told Zoe, \u201cThey broke the law.\u201d We only told them about them.<\/p>\n
I agreed, but the guilt was still there. \u201cYes, I know.\u201d It\u2019s just\u2026 I can\u2019t get over how scared they looked when the cops arrived.<\/p>\n
Samantha leaned forward and said, \u201cHey, remember how violated you felt when you saw that camera?\u201d How mad were you? For weeks, they hurt you like that.<\/p>\n
I sighed. \u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d I guess I\u2019m not used to being the \u201cbad guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
She laughed. \u201cBelieve me, you\u2019re not the bad guy here.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re brave for standing up for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the evening, I was watering my veggies when I saw a moving truck pull up to Carla and Frank\u2019s house. A young couple who looked happy got out.<\/p>\n
I watched as they laughed and talked as they unloaded the boxes. Some part of me wanted to go over and say hello and maybe tell them about the previous owners. But I also wanted to move on.<\/p>\n
I made up my mind as I looked back at my garden. I wouldn\u2019t have any ideas or biases about these new neighbors before I met them. Still, I\u2019d keep my eyes open. You never know when you might need to have another garden party.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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