“Neighbors ought to work out these little space issues without dragging formal board complaints into it.”

“Is the HOA ignoring the easement line?” I asked.

“I’m suggesting you be an accommodating neighbor,” Arthur said, turning to walk back down the sidewalk toward his own house.

By six thirty the air had cooled, and Nora Hayes was out by the shared curb trimming the overgrown boxwood hedges with her hand shears.

“Harry Caldwell was at town hall yesterday morning,” Nora said, her voice low as her shears snapped softly and steadily through the branches.

She patted her cardigan pockets twice as if hunting for her glasses.