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Monica raised her voice.
“YOU’RE HARASSING ME!”
A porch door opened across the street.
Then another.
Frank came outside wearing plaid pajama pants.
I kept my phone steady.
“Monica, you’re sneaking onto my property after I specifically told you not to use my electricity. I’m not sure I’m the problem here.”
Someone nearby laughed.
Monica looked around and realized everyone was watching.
Then she pointed at the gnome.
“AND YOU STOLE MY GNOME!”
For a moment, I could hardly believe she had said it.
“Your gnome? The one you took from my yard six months ago?”
Her mouth snapped shut.
Frank laughed.
Monica turned toward everyone.
“Turn those phones off.”
Nobody did.
She glared at me.
“Eleanor, tell them this is ridiculous.”
“Which part?”
“The part where you took my garden decoration?
Or the part where you’re trying to use my electricity after I told you to stop?”
Her mouth tightened.
“I wasn’t stealing anything.”
“Then why come over after midnight?”
Before she could respond, Frank spoke.
“Probably the same reason she took my ladder while I was at work.”
Monica spun toward him.
“I gave that back.”
“Three months later.”
More laughter.
And suddenly, Monica didn’t look angry anymore.
She looked trapped.
