Denise entered carrying updated access records, a revised guest-authorisation form, and written confirmation that only the legal owner could approve overnight visitors.
The three changes were simple.
Every beach and gate code Ashley had shared was cancelled. Her name and Darren’s were removed from the property’s authorised-contact list. Finally, the condo was flagged as owner-use only unless I personally submitted each guest in writing.
Ashley stared at the documents.
“You reported me?”
“I corrected the records,” I said.
Her phone began filling with messages from relatives and friends whose reservations had vanished. Several had already purchased plane tickets. One woman had apparently paid Ashley a deposit for Fourth of July weekend.
That was when Darren finally looked at his wife.
“You charged people?”
Ashley claimed the money covered cleaning and supplies, but Denise explained that accepting payment for unauthorised stays violated both condominium rules and local rental requirements. Any attempt to admit those guests could result in fines and the permanent suspension of access privileges.
Ashley accused me of ruining everyone’s summer.
I unfolded the laminated calendar and placed it on the table.
“You assigned me one weekend in my own condo,” I said. “And you made me the cleaner.”
They left before sunset. Darren returned the spare key the next morning.
Ray had worked nearly four decades to give me that view.
I was not going to spend my remaining summers changing sheets for strangers Ashley had invited into his final gift.
