On our family beach getaway, our neighbor slyly took our grill without permission, thinking we wouldn’t notice. Our security camera captured his theft and the fiery fallout, showing him that taking what’s not yours can burn you in the end.
Moving into our new home six months ago felt like a dream come true. The quiet streets and friendly neighbors were perfect for our kids, Lily and Max, to play and grow. After years in a cramped apartment, Richard and I cherished our space. “This is it,” Richard said, watching the kids run free. Then came Oliver, our neighbor. He welcomed us with cookies, saying, “I’ve seen it all here.” His tone was sharp, but I let it go. Soon, Oliver’s habits alarmed us. I saw him enter a neighbor’s yard while they were gone, acting at home. He dismissed Richard’s questions, saying, “It’s no big deal.”
At our housewarming barbecue, Oliver couldn’t stop staring at our new gas grill, Richard’s prized purchase. “Nice toy,” he said. “Mine’s pathetic. You don’t even cook much—such a shame.” His comment stung, and he kept watching it. He’d pop by uninvited, asking for tools or remarking on our packages, like he was monitoring us. Once, he planted flowers in our yard, claiming, “It’s better here.” Richard was frustrated, but we didn’t push back. We added a camera and locked our gate. When we planned a May beach trip, the kids begged for pools and sandcastles. We locked the grill, hesitating. “It’s secure,” Richard said, relying on our camera app.
The beach was a joy, with the kids splashing and building sandcastles. On day two, I checked the camera. The grill was missing. Footage showed Oliver breaking the lock at sunrise and taking it for a party. “He’s using our grill!” Richard snapped. I called Oliver—no response. We watched him host, showing off. “Police?” I asked. Richard said, “Hold off.” Then, trouble hit. Oliver hung a tablecloth on the grill, catching it in the lid. Fire erupted, consuming his patio. Guests fled, and firefighters arrived too late. Our grill was gone, his yard ruined. “Karma’s fast,” Richard chuckled. We enjoyed our trip, got a new grill via insurance, and came home to a quiet Oliver. His charred yard reminds him: don’t steal what’s not yours.
