My Neighbors Dug A Two-Acre Lake On My Land While I Was Out Of State—Then Told Me Their Contractor Said It Was Theirs, And That Was The Day I Learned How Expensive Arrogance Can Be

a white mustache, and the patience of a man who trusted measurements more than moods. He had a habit of removing his glasses before saying something unpleasant, as if he wanted the world slightly blurred when people reacted badly.

He came out two mornings later in a faded khaki shirt, carrying old plats, a GPS unit, survey flags, and a metal detector that looked older than both of us. Caleb came too, mostly because he was still sleeping in my spare room and needed something to do besides feel like