Loaded our bags.
Closed the trunk.
Pulled out of the driveway.
And drove away.
At least, that’s what we wanted Jim and Lisa to believe.
Instead of leaving town, Tom and I checked into a hotel about forty minutes away.
We stayed there overnight.
The next morning, we returned home.
Before we even unpacked, Tom opened the camera footage.
Within minutes, he stopped scrolling.
“Come here.”
I walked over.
And then I saw them.
Our neighbor Jim was walking directly into our backyard.
He wasn’t alone.
Lisa followed behind him.
So did their children.
They were carrying towels, bags, snacks and drinks.
Nobody looked nervous.
Nobody looked confused.
Nobody looked like they were trespassing.
They looked completely comfortable.
Like they had done it before.
Many times.
Jim walked straight to the hot tub.
He removed the cover.
The family climbed inside.
Someone turned on music.
