| Satire Fiction posted June 16, 2025 | Chapters: |
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The consequences of the HOA meeting
A chapter in the book Milton vs the HOA
Milton vs the HOA - Chapter 21
by Jim Wile
| Background A meek accountant moves into the HOA from hell. |
Recap of Chapter 20: The meeting to replace the current Board with a new Board, led by Milton and Esme, begins. Milton describes how he got involved in the effort by relating the story of his first meeting with Dorothy and how she ordered the ramp removed from his steps, leading to George’s death. The neighbors were shocked to hear of this for the first time.
Milton then reveals how his study of the CCRs convinced him the Board was operating in an illegal and arbitrary manner. Dorothy attempts to deny it, but Milton points out the major violations and reveals to the neighbors that Dorothy, Penny, and four others have not been paying any dues or assessments. Milton displays the bank records to prove it. Dorothy attempts to cast the blame for the financial shenanigans on Betty, who doesn’t understand what’s going on and why the place is in an uproar, thinking they were blaming her. She passes out and begins seizing, whereupon Milton calls 911. Paramedics come and take her to the hospital.
Dorothy tries to adjourn the meeting then, but Milton refuses to let her because the vote to remove her hasn’t been made yet. Dorothy, Penny, and the other four cohorts leave, and the vote is taken. A unanimous vote removes Dorothy and Penny from the Board, and Milton, Esme, and Irene Ferguson are elected to replace them. Milton adjourns the meeting to much thanks and praise from the neighbors.
Chapter 21
Your mission is nearly complete now, George. You see how well Milton did at the meeting he called? You’ve certainly helped give him the confidence he needs to make his mark in life. He still has a few challenges ahead of him and will need all the strength he can muster to overcome them.
You’ll notice how he’s calling on you less and less as his confidence grows, and that’s as it should be, but he may still need you to help push him over the goal line. Be ready for it, George. The success of your mission depends on it.
As happy as Milton and Esme were to have achieved their goal, as soon as they left the meeting, they were immediately sobered by the thought of Betty.
Esme said, “Milton, would you mind driving us to the hospital so we can check on Betty? I’m worried about her.”
“Certainly. I’m very concerned too. Those seizures were hard to watch.”
Once out of the parking lot, Milton began speeding toward the hospital.
Milton, slow down. There isn’t any need for speed.
What are you saying, Geordie? That it’s too late for Betty? Please don’t tell me that.
They’re working on her now, but I’m afraid it’s pointless. They won’t call it for a few minutes yet. You’ll have time to get there and find Rosie before they come out with the news.
Oh, Geordie! That horrid woman has played a part in yet another death. Is there no end to the damage she can cause?
At least you stripped her of her power.
Small comfort right now.
Milton slowed his pace and within 10 minutes arrived at the emergency room parking lot. He and Esme headed into the waiting room, where they found Rosie. She was sitting and staring straight ahead with a glazed look in her eyes, a magazine in her lap going unread.
Milton and Esme walked over to her. Only after Milton said, “Rosie?” did she come out of her trance and look up at them. She immediately stood and moved into Milton’s arms where she began softly weeping as he tried to comfort her.
Esme joined in the embrace. “There, there, sweetie. We’re here for you. I’m sure they’re doing everything they can for her,” she said, patting her gently on her back.
“I’m scared it’s too late,” said Rosie. “She was seizing again when they took her in. She didn’t look good at all.”
“I’m so sorry this happened, Rosie,” said Milton. “I would never have called this meeting if I had thought this might be the result.”
“It wasn’t your doing, Milton. It was that horrible woman who strikes again like she did with your brother.”
“Even so, I wish it had never come to this.”
A young woman approached the group and said, “Ms. Kleinsmith?”
She turned to her and said, “Yes.”
“Dr. Sicaro would like to discuss your grandmother’s case with you in a private room. Could you follow me please?”
The doctor was waiting for them in the consultation room. “Ms. Kleinsmith, I’m Dr. Sicaro, and I was one of the doctors working on your grandmother. She experienced a massive seizure and lost consciousness. Her heart stopped, and despite our best efforts, we were unable to revive her. We believe her death was caused by a ruptured aneurysm in her brain. I’m deeply sorry for your loss.”
Rosie blinked back tears as she managed to say, “Thank you, Doctor, for trying to save her.”
“I’m going to have our social worker come and meet with you to discuss the next steps. If you wait here, she will be in shortly.”
“Thank you.”
After the doctor left, Milton said, “I’m so sorry, Rosie,” and he embraced her again, whereupon she began sobbing in earnest. Esme added her condolences as well, and they stood this way for several minutes until the social worker found them.
Betty had asked to be cremated, and Rosie called Milton up a week later and asked him if he could accompany her when she spread her Gram’s ashes. She wanted her remains to be spread among the flowers in her beloved garden.
It was a lovely summer day when Milton arrived at Rosie’s house in the late afternoon, and together they headed to the backyard where a beautifully maintained perennial garden awaited them. This had been Betty’s pride and joy and where she desired to become one with the soil to nourish the flowers she dearly loved and admired.
Milton watched as Rosie carefully spread her ashes in a number of locations around the large flower beds. When she was all done, she stood next to Milton, who wrapped his arm around her waist, and she did the same.
“I will miss you, dear Gram,” she said. “You were a wonderful grandmother to me, and you gave me such love and comfort when my mother and your daughter died. I know you were hurting, but you remained strong for me, and I will never forget it. I love you, Gram.”
They remained there for a few minutes, looking at the beautiful scene. They stood in the shade of a pin oak tree. The late afternoon sun dappled through the leaves as the shadows were growing longer. It was the warmest part of the day, and Rosie and Milton decided to move inside the house.
They entered the kitchen through the back door. Rosie poured Milton and herself some iced tea. They sat at the kitchen table sipping it.
“So, how did your first Board meeting go? Did they make you the president?” asked Rosie.
“Neither of the other two wanted the job, so I accepted it. Esme is the vice president, and Irene is the secretary. I also volunteered to be the treasurer, so I have two roles.”
“I think the HOA will be in good hands now.”
“I think so too,” he said.
After a pause, Rosie said, “I wanted to let you know that I’m the executor of Gram’s estate. She kept her will in a filing cabinet in her study, so I’ve reviewed it. It turns out I’m her only heir since both my parents are dead, and I have no siblings. Gram left her entire estate to me, including this house.”
Milton hesitated before asking. “Have you decided yet what you’re going to do about it?”
Rosie looked pointedly at him. “Are you asking me if I plan on staying here and living in the house?”
It was precisely what he’d been thinking. His heart leapt at the idea. “Well, are you? because I would be thrilled if you did.”
“I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. Since my divorce, I don’t have any family in St. Paul. I have friends and a job, but no family ties. I’m undecided right now.”
Milton thought for a moment. “Esme is quite familiar with the music scene here in Elkhart, having taught piano for a number of years. If it helps, she may have some ideas about a teaching job.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to talk to her about it.”
Rosie grew silent then and cast her eyes down. Milton watched a tear wend its way down her cheek. He clasped her hand, which was resting on the table, in both of his. The tears continued to flow.
She finally looked up at him and said, “I miss her so much. She was always so supportive and helped pay for my college. She bought a piano, even though she didn’t play, just for the times I would visit her and would play for her. Would you sing with me, Milton? I would like to sing her favorite song, ‘The Prayer.’ Do you know it?”
“Not by heart. Especially not the Italian version. I’m certainly no Andrea Bocelli.”
“Well, I’m no Celine Dion either, but I’ve got the sheet music with the English lyrics if you’ll join me in singing it.”
“I’d be happy to.”
Rosie said, “Would you mind if we went out to the garden and sang it there? It would be like we were singing it to her.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.”
“I’ll be right back.” She went into the living room, where she opened the piano bench and waded through the sheet music inside until she found “The Prayer.”
Together they headed back out to the garden, and Milton held the music as Rosie began with the first line. They alternated lines:
I pray you′ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we′ll be safe
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we′ll be safe
For the remainder of the song, they sang the lines together with their voices intertwining in perfect harmony, with his rich bass tones complementing her versatile range. Their voices blended with great emotion and vibrant dynamics, and as they ended the final measure together in the upper register, staring into each other’s eyes, it was as though their souls had united, like their voices, to absorb the beauty and the passion of the moment.
Milton laid the music on the grass. He stood straight and looked into Rosie’s eyes again. As he held her gaze, he raised his hands to her face and gently kissed her on the lips. She had taught him well, for then they embraced, and more passionate kisses soon followed.
5 chapters remaining
 Recognized |
Milton Frobish: A meek 41-year-old accountant, who moves into an HOA with his brother, George.
George Frobish (Geordie): The 44-year-old invalid brother of Milton. After his death, George becomes a ghost that only Milton can see.
Esme Green (pronounced Ez-may): Milton's next-door neighbor. She is 75.
Dorothy Clodfelter: The president of the Riverwood HOA.
Penny Smalls: The vice president of the Riverwood HOA.
Betty Kleinsmith: The senile treasurer of the Riverwood HOA.
Rosemary Kleinsmith (Rosie): Betty's adult granddaughter. She is 35.
Irene Ferguson: Esme's next-door neighbor.
Picture courtesy of Imagen-3
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