The judge ordered him to pay damages and rebuild my garden, plant by plant, under court supervision. He had to replant every daisy and dig holes with his bare hands while a court rep watched from a folding chair with a clipboard. Meanwhile, I partnered with a local beekeeping group. We expanded the hives, added native wildflowers, and got certified as a pollinator-friendly property.

The bees flourished—and they found their way over to Mark’s side often, especially to his garbage bins and freshly watered lawn.He stopped mowing quite so loudly after that. Justice, as it turns out, blooms sweetly. Moral: Don’t mistake kindness for weakness—and never mess with a neighbor who knows how to play the long game.