Arthur watched him examine the scene through the windshield.
The silver SUV sat low in the dark mulch bed, its front tires surrounded by loose material.
The tow operator climbed down.
He walked around the vehicle.
Looked at the curb.
Then at the front wheels.
He crouched to inspect the position of the tires.
Finally, he stood and looked toward Brenda.
"How'd you get it in there?"
Brenda's expression tightened.
"I parked."
The driver glanced at the garden bed.
Then back at her.
"On the mulch?"
Brenda looked toward Arthur.
"He put it here!"
The operator studied the yard.
Then the curb.
Then the SUV.
Arthur could see him working through the practical problem.
The vehicle needed to be pulled back onto the street without causing unnecessary damage.
The wheels were partly buried in loose landscaping material.
The angle was awkward.
And the tow truck could not simply drive onto the lawn without risking more damage.
The operator retrieved several long straps.
He worked carefully around the vehicle, checking the recovery points and arranging the equipment.
Arthur moved away from the work area.
Brenda stood near the sidewalk, watching every movement.
Several neighbors remained nearby.
The operator connected the recovery equipment.
Then returned to the truck.
The winch began pulling.
The SUV shifted slightly.
The front tires moved through the mulch.
Loose material rolled away from the wheels.
The vehicle resisted at first.
Then moved again.
Slowly.
A few inches at a time.
The operator paused, checked the straps, and adjusted the angle.
Then he continued.
The silver SUV gradually rose from the deepest part of the mulch bed.
The front tires reached firmer ground.
The rear wheels rolled backward.
And after several careful adjustments, the vehicle finally returned to the pavement.
The tow operator disconnected the equipment.
Brenda stood beside the SUV.
Her expression was unreadable.
Arthur looked toward the garden bed.
The mulch had been disturbed where the tires had sunk, but the broad shape of the planting area remained intact.
He could repair the uneven section with a shovel.
That was far easier than repairing another set of deep tire ruts in the grass.
The tow operator completed the paperwork.
Brenda paid for the service.
Then she climbed into the SUV.
She did not look at Arthur.
She did not look at the neighbors.
She started the engine and drove away.
This time, the tires remained on the street.
Arthur watched until the vehicle disappeared around the corner.
Then he picked up his shovel.
He walked back to the disturbed mulch.
And began smoothing the surface.
There were no raised voices.
No final confrontation.