Forgetting about what their neighbors were asking turned out to be easier said than done. It was the next afternoon when Phoebe answered the door to find two of their neighbors again standing on the porch. One was Justin, the new neighbor they had met only the day before. The other was Mr. Mathias.
Mr. Mathias was a big, burly man that reminded Phoebe of a longshoreman. He towered over Phoebe as if she was only a small child. Phoebe didn't know much about him. In fact, few of the neighbors knew much about him. He kept to himself most of the time.
"Mr. Mathias, Justin," Phoebe said. "What can I do for you?"
"Apparently Mrs. Rooney and Mrs. Gallow didn't make our point clear yesterday," Mathias said. "They told us what you said. Listen here. We're fed up with you three. It's like a war zone over here. We're giving you the chance to make some profit on this place and move to somewhere that might be more suited to your unusual lifestyle."
"Excuse me?" Phoebe asked.
"John, please," Justin said. "Phoebe, I'm sorry. I tried to talk him out of this. But he just won't listen to reason."
"Damn right I won't," Mathias said. "This is a family neighborhood. We've had just about enough of your shenanigans around here. People coming and going at all hours of the day and night. What can only be described as wild, out of control parties. Do you know how many times your handyman has repaired your front door or front window? Twenty-seven times, that's how many.
"And that's only since we started keeping count. Your grandmother was bad enough but the three of you are a dozen times worse. Now I'm telling you. Our offer won't last forever. We got us a lawyer and as soon as she has the papers drawn up, we're going to force you out. I suggest you take our offer and get out while you're ahead."
Mathias didn't wait for a response. He turned and headed off the front steps, fuming. Phoebe just looked at Justin.
"I'm sorry," Justin said. "I tried to talk them into waiting. To see if there wasn't some way to work this out. Most of them are adamant. You don't seem like the type to have wild parties but some of the things they've told me about seem rather.... unusual."
"Yes, well," Phoebe began.
"Anyway," Justin said, "I'll see what I can do to help. I'll try talking to them again. Maybe I can get them to listen to reason. I'll do my best. But you might want to contact an attorney just in case."
"Thanks, Justin," Phoebe said. "We appreciate all the help."
"My pleasure," Justin said, smiling. "Now, let me go talk to some of the less passionate members of the committee. I'll let you know what progress I make."
"Okay, thanks again," Phoebe said.