I’ve been documenting every instance of this. Photos, videos, timestamps. Do you have any idea what my insurance company would say if they knew unsupervised? Children were regularly using my pool without permission. You’ve been taking pictures of my children. Karen’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
I’ve been documenting trespassing on my property. Emma had climbed out of the pool and was wrapping herself in a towel, shivering. Tyler followed, both children looking confused and a little scared. Mom. Emma’s voice was small. It’s okay, baby. The mean man wants us to leave his precious pool.
Karen’s eyes never left David’s face as she spoke, her words dripping with venom. David felt something cold settle in his chest. Mean man.
That’s what his neighbor thought of him. the guy who worked 60-hour weeks to afford this house, who’ spent his weekends last summer installing that pool himself, who’d never once complained about their dog barking at all hours or their music playing too loud during their frequent backyard parties.
“Karen,” he said quietly, “I want you to listen very carefully. If I find your children in my pool again, ever, I’m calling the police. I’m also calling my lawyer.” She laughed, but it sounded forced over a pool. You’d really call the police on children. I’d call the police on anyone who repeatedly trespassed on my property after being asked to stop. We’ll see about that.
