He didn’t know I had a birdwatching camera that caught him in the act—or that my rare fish were part of a conservation program. One call to the EPA later, Derek was slapped with a $50,000 fine for destroying a protected habitat. But I wasn’t done. My grandson Lucas—also a lawyer—filed civil charges for property damage and emotional distress. Then something unexpected happened: Derek’s wife, Linda, showed up. She said he lied, telling her the city had ordered the pond removal. I told her the real story.
A few days later, a landscaping crew arrived—sent by Linda—to rebuild the pond. It was restored beautifully. Charges were dropped. Derek left town. Now, Linda and I sit by the water together, feeding the fish and watching sunsets. She once told me, “Losing that pond brought me to the best neighbor I never knew I had.” Moral of the story? Never underestimate an old woman with a camera, a lawyer grandson, and a pond full of memories.