My stomach dropped.
Our neighbor, Mrs. Parker, had apparently decided to throw a pool party at my house.
And she’d ordered Lily to stay outside.
I called Emily immediately.
She explained that she’d stepped out to pick up Lily’s birthday cake after Mrs. Parker offered to watch her.
I was furious.
I took Lily’s hand and walked around to the backyard.
Mrs. Parker was sitting beside my pool, holding a cocktail.
“Oh, you’re home!” she laughed.
“Why is my granddaughter locked out?”
“She was bothering the guests. I needed some peace.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
But I didn’t scream at her.
Instead, I smiled.
“Actually, I have something everyone should see.”
Mrs. Parker raised an eyebrow. “What?”
I went inside, grabbed my phone, and returned.
Then I connected it to the outdoor television.
The music stopped.
Thirty people turned toward the screen.
A photograph of my backyard appeared on the television.
