Mrs. Parker suddenly stood up.
“Margaret, turn that thing off.”
I ignored her.
“Did she tell you she owned this property?”
The woman in blue nodded.
“Of course. She said it was her vacation home.”
Another guest interrupted.
“She told us her mother lived here sometimes.”
I almost laughed. “Her mother?”
Mrs. Parker’s face turned red.
I looked around at the strangers standing beside my pool.
“This is my home. I’ve lived here for 30 years. Mrs. Parker is my neighbor, and she had absolutely no permission to invite anyone here.”
The backyard went silent.
Then someone asked a question that changed everything.
“Wait. Does that mean all those other parties were illegal too?”
Mrs. Parker rushed toward the television.
“Margaret, you’re embarrassing yourself!”
I stepped between her and the screen.
“No. I’m showing everyone what you’ve been doing.”
She pointed at the guests. “These are my friends!”
The woman in blue crossed her arms. “Mrs. Parker, I met you this morning.”
