I sat perfectly still.
“Sarah, I’ll kick this door down!” Mark rattled the handle. The sound was sharp and metallic.
The key didn’t fit. It took him a second to realize it. He jiggled it, then shoved harder.
“The key won’t go in! Mom! She changed the locks!”
“Changed the locks? When?” Eleanor sounded breathless with indignation. “That snake! Mark, call the police! Tell them she… she assaulted me and barricaded herself inside! Tell them she’s dangerous!”
“Sarah!” Mark kicked the door. The reinforced frame barely vibrated, letting out a dull, solid thud. “Open this door! I’m going to make you pay for this! You laid hands on my mother!”
I tapped the screen on my phone, which was linked to the smart doorbell. The picture was crystal clear. Mark, red-faced and disheveled, kicking the door. Eleanor ripping open one of the bags, pulling out a pair of jeans.
“Look, Mark! She wrinkled everything! Look at this!”
“I’m calling the cops!” Mark yelled. “You’re going to jail! You hurt my mother! You can’t kick me out! I live here! My name is on the mail!”
I leaned toward the door and spoke loudly and clearly:
