“C’mon. For our families, John,” Danny said.

“For our families,” John said, shaking Danny’s hand with determination.

John and Danny immediately rallied the community and explained their situation to their neighbors. Within an hour, they had the whole community in protest surrounding the bulldozer, not allowing further work to be done. Out of options, the bulldozer driver called Mr. Cooper.

“Sorry, boss. There’s a bunch of people here. They have me surrounded, and I can’t do anything. We’ll have to pick it up from where we left off tomorrow,” the driver said, throwing the whole community into a triumphal cheer as he got off the bulldozer and walked off. Danny and John shared a high-five for their victory.

Later that day, John called the community chair while Danny took the matter to the police. The community chair agreed to investigate the matter, and so did the police.

The next day Mr. Cooper returned with the bulldozer trying to finish the job. However, shortly after his arrival, the police came and arrested him. It turned out they had been investigating Mr. Cooper for a while now.

The Summers and Johnson properties were just a few in a long list of properties Mr. Cooper had taken over with fraudulent documents.

“This is great!” Danny said as the police left with Mr. Cooper. “We saved our homes, John!” Danny said, elated.

“Yes, we did, Danny!” John said cheerfully.

“Listen, I know we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, but I believe there’s a way we can resolve this without any more unnecessary drama. How about we work together to resolve this issue,” Danny suggested.

“How so?” John asked.

“Well, we can hire a surveyor to pinpoint the exact location of the boundary line and then share the cost of relocating the wall, if necessary,” Danny proposed.

John looked at the ruined wall he had recently built. He remembers how wonderful the barbecue had started out and how all their neighbors had rallied again to protect their homes. He remembered how excited his wife and son were to find friends in the Johnson family. And then, he finally had an epiphany.

“I think I may have a better idea. Just please be patient and give me a little time, okay?” John said calmly.

“Alright, John,” Danny replied, and they shook on it.

The next day, Danny was awakened by what sounded like construction unfolding outside again. He immediately rushed outside to see John working on something.

“What are you doing? I offered to solve everything peacefully and fairly!” Danny snapped.

“I know, Danny. Please be patient,” John said calmly.

“Patient?! There’s no getting through to you! I don’t have time for this right now, but you’ll hear from me after work!” Danny snapped, rushing back home. John sighed deeply, then continued working, an unbothered smile consuming his gaze.

At the end of the day, Danny returned home from work and saw a playground on the lawn from John’s side, where Tommy and Kevin were swinging jovially. Danny’s side of the lawn looked awkwardly empty beside the laughter-filled playground on the other side.

“Looks like you really did have a better idea,” a surprised Danny said, approaching John.

“I told you. Just be patient,” John said with a warm smile.

“Daddy! Look! Tommy’s dad built a playground!” Kevin said, elated.

“I see, my boy. You boys enjoying yourselves?” Danny asked.

“Yeah!” Tommy and Kevin exclaimed.

“Great stuff!” Danny said to the boys before turning back to John. “Truce?” Danny said, holding out his hand.