She rolled her eyes.
“She’s eight. She can sit on a porch for a few minutes.”
Lily tightened her grip on my hand.
I looked down at her. Her cheeks were still wet.
“Go wait inside, sweetheart. Lock the door behind you. Mommy will be here soon.”
She nodded and hurried toward the house.
When she was gone, I faced Mrs. Parker again.
“She was your responsibility.”
Mrs. Parker shrugged. “She wouldn’t stop complaining.”
“About what?”
“She kept telling everyone this was her grandmother’s house!”
“She was telling the truth.”
“She was disturbing the customers.”
“Customers?”
She realized what she’d said.
But it was too late.
I took a breath.
“Everyone, please collect your things. I’m contacting the police to document what happened.”
Mrs. Parker laughed bitterly. “Over a pool party?”
“Over unauthorized entry, paid rentals, and leaving a child locked outside.”
I called the nonemergency number.
The dispatcher took my information and said officers would respond when available.
