This story is quite the rollercoaster, so grab a cup of coffee and settle in. I never thought the day would come when karma would catch up with me, but oh boy, did it ever.

First, let me introduce myself. I’m Linda, a forty-year-old high school English teacher. I live with my husband Tom and his father Richard. Tom and I have been a couple since college and have shared fifteen wonderful years of marriage. Everything was going smoothly until Richard moved in with us almost two years ago, after my mother-in-law passed away.

Richard isn’t exactly the easiest person to be around. He seems to think he’s an expert on everything and is never shy about sharing his opinions. While there’s always been some tension between us, I’ve done my best to keep things civil for Tom’s sake. But living together has been, to put it mildly, a challenge.

Since Tom and I don’t have children, I’ve poured years of my time and energy into our backyard. It was my little slice of paradise, with lush grass bordered by vibrant flower beds that I had grown from seedlings. After long, stressful days teaching moody teenagers, gardening was my sanctuary, my escape, and my therapy.

Every spare moment, I was out there tending to my plants, cherishing their growth and beauty. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was what kept me happy and sane. But Richard had other ideas.

It all started rather innocently one evening while we were finishing dinner. Richard cleared his throat. “Linda, Tom, I’ve been thinking,” he said.

I glanced at Tom. Richard’s comments usually meant trouble. “The backyard,” Richard continued, “is just sitting there. It’s time to put in a pool.”

I nearly choked on my water. “A pool? Where would we even put it, Richard? The yard isn’t that big.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “We’ll make it fit. While you two are at work, I get bored. A pool would be fantastic for me and my buddies, especially on these hot summer days.”

Tom, bless his heart, tried to reason with his dad. “Dad, Linda’s worked so hard on the garden. You can’t just rip out all her flowers. Plus, a pool requires a lot of upkeep and is very costly. It’s just not possible.”

But Richard wouldn’t let it go. For weeks, he brought it up at every opportunity. “Linda, imagine cooling off on those hot days,” and “Tom, think of the pool parties we could have!”

I stood my ground. “I’m sorry, Richard, but it’s just not feasible. The garden means too much to me, and the yard is too small. You can’t dig a pool there. It’s not happening.”

I thought that settled it. But I was wrong. This was only the beginning.

One weekend, Tom and I decided to visit my parents for a change of pace from Richard’s constant pool chatter. We left early Saturday morning, planning to return Sunday evening.

As we drove up our driveway that Sunday, something felt off. Muddy tire tracks littered the front yard. My heart sank as we turned into the backyard. Where my beautiful garden once thrived, there was now a massive hole, surrounded by piles of dirt. Most of my cherished flowers were gone.

Richard stood in the middle of the chaos, grinning like he had just pulled off the heist of the century. “Oh, you’re back? I’ve started your pool. Don’t thank me,” he said smugly.

I was speechless. But Tom exploded. “Dad! What were you thinking? We told you not to do this!”

Richard merely shrugged. “You’ll thank me later. Got a great deal on the diggers.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. All my hard work ruined in just one weekend. How could he not see how much my garden meant to me?

Seeing my silent sobs, Tom put his arm around me and led me inside. “Linda, I’ll handle this. Don’t worry. There will be no pool, and we’ll restore your garden. I promise.”

Monday morning, I woke up hoping it was all a bad dream. But the view out the window confirmed it was real: the diggers were back.

Karma, however, had plans for Richard. While the workers were digging, our neighbor Mrs. Jensen, out walking her little dog Buster, approached Richard. She was never a fan of his and was a stickler for rules.

“Richard, do you know there are regulations about how close you can dig to a property line?” she asked sweetly.

Richard sneered. “I know what I’m doing, Margaret. Leave me be.”

Mrs. Jensen’s grin widened. “Well, I’m good friends with the city inspector. I think I’ll give him a call.”

Richard’s face turned pale. Before he could protest, Mrs. Jensen was on her phone. An hour later, the city inspector arrived. He took one look at our backyard and shook his head. “Sir, this is entirely against code. You’ll need to stop immediately.”

Richard sputtered, “But… but…”

The inspector wasn’t done. “And I have to issue a fine for starting construction without the proper permits.”

It was unbelievable. Karma was real, and it was swift. But the story didn’t end there. As the workers began filling in the hole, a loud crack sounded. Suddenly, water burst everywhere—they had hit an old water pipe! Our yard quickly became a swamp. Moments later, Richard slipped and fell face-first into the mud.

From the porch, Tom and I watched the chaos unfold. Richard, covered in mud, yelled at the workers. His dream backyard was becoming a disaster zone, and his favorite suit was ruined.

Richard ended up footing all the bills: the fine, the pipe repairs, the backyard restoration, and the basement cleanup. It was an expensive lesson in following the rules and respecting others’ property.

Since that day, Richard has lost his enthusiasm for home improvement projects. He spends most of his time in his room, and any mention of a pool sends him scurrying away.

It took some time, but I’ve managed to replant most of my garden. It’s even better now. Each flower feels like a small victory over Richard’s folly. Mrs. Jensen and I have become good friends, and she often jokes, “No one’s digging a pool, right?” whenever she sees me gardening.

Tom and I look back on the incident with humor now, sharing the story at dinner parties. “Have we ever told you about the time Richard tried to build a pool?” Tom starts, and our friends eagerly listen.

In retrospect, I’m grateful for the experience. It taught Richard an invaluable lesson and strengthened my bond with Tom. He stood by me through it all, proving our relationship could weather any storm. So, if you ever deal with a difficult family member who disregards your boundaries, remember: karma might be just around the corner, waiting to make things right.