Mom texted. I typed back: “Have a good time.” When I refused to invite them to a grand 12

My father’s car was idling at the entrance with my mother in the passenger seat, Madison in the back, and Tyler driving behind them in his own vehicle. They’d found me somehow. They’d found me. I watched as my father pressed the intercom button. Rebecca, we know you’re in there. Open this gate right now. My hands shook slightly as I pressed the talk button.

How did you get this address? That doesn’t matter. Open the gate. We need to talk to you. We don’t have anything to discuss. I’m busy today. You’re busy? My father’s voice tripped with sarcasm. Doing what? sitting in your little apartment feeling sorry for yourself. I’m not opening the gate. Please leave. Like hell, I will. You’ve poisoned our entire extended family against us.

Diane called your mother yesterday and uninvited her to their Christmas party. Frank told me I was a disgrace. Do you know what you’ve done? I invited family to Thanksgiving. That’s what I did. You invited them despite us. My mother’s voice came through now, shrill and angry. You’re trying to turn everyone against their own family. You excluded them first.

I just offered them an alternative. Open this goddamn gate, Rebecca. My father was shouting now. No. Leave or I’m calling the police. Tyler’s voice joined in. Just open it, Becca. Stop being dramatic. This is my property and you’re not welcome here. Leave. I disconnected the intercom and stood there breathing hard.The catering manager looked at me with concern. “Should I call the police?” she asked. “Not yet. They’ll leave.” But they didn’t leave. For 20 minutes, they sat at my gate, taking turns pressing the intercom button. I ignored them, focusing on the preparations, but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Then my security system sent me an alert.

Motion detected at the east perimeter. I pulled up the cameras and watched in disbelief as my father climbed over the stone wall that bordered my property. The wall was 6 ft high and he struggled but he made it over. Madison followed, more nimble, landing in the flower beds on the other side. Tyler came last. Call the police now. I told the catering manager.