pulled into a space, she noticed that golf carts far outnumbered cars, some even pulled up onto the grass, dotting the side- walks. She smirked. It was practically a re- quirement to own one here. She made a mental note: Find a golf cart—preferably a cute one. Walking up to the white pool gates, she pulled out the key fob she had been assigned at the Trailer Estates office as a new resi- dent. She held it up to the reader, and with a soft beep, the lock released. The pool deck was elevated, outlined with fence railing that allowed a panoramic view of the com- munity. From here, she could see the shuf- fleboard courts, their freshly painted white and green surfaces bright in the sunlight. Across from them, the small post office bus- tled with activity, a steady stream of resi- dents coming and going. Attached to the pool house, the Seabreeze Fitness Center’s glass doors revealed retirees passing through wearing workout gear. As Kat stepped onto the pool deck, the thick scent of chlorine mixed with the warmth of coconut sunscreen. Laughter and conversa- tion swirled around her. A group of wom- en—most in their sixties and seventies— were floating with colorful pool noodles, en- gaged in a synchronized wave of chatter and splashing. Kat scanned the pool area, spotting an emp- ty chair along a shaded row. Perfect. She had just set down her towel when a sharp voice cut through the air.
sized sunglasses and a wide-brimmed sun hat planted herself firmly in front of Kat, arms crossed. “These chairs are reserved.” Kat hesitated. “Reserved?” she echoed, glancing at the row of empty chairs. “Yes,” the woman insisted, her lips pursed. “Everyone knows that this row is ours.” Ours? Like some kind of poolside aristocra- cy? Kat’s stomach clenched with annoyance. Was this high school? Sure enough, the woman was quickly joined by a tight-knit cluster of ladies, their matching sun hats bobbing as they nodded in agreement. Kat forced a tight smile, unwilling to make a scene over something as ridiculous as a pool
“Excuse me,” a stern-faced woman in over-
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