Flustered and sweating despite the cold air, Victoria pulled out her phone and frantically dialed Jordan’s number.
Jordan was currently sitting in a small, cramped room at a cheap budget motel 3 m away, the only room he had been able to book on short notice for New Year’s Eve weekend, which had cost him $400 out of his own checking account.
“Jordan.”
Toriia shrieked into the receiver the second he answered.
“Where is the key under the mat? Why isn’t the front door keypad working? We’re standing out here in the freezing cold with your aunt, your cousins, and the babies.”
“Mom, I don’t know,” Jordan stammered, panic evident in his voice. “Sandra handles all the smart lock codes. I don’t have the administrator access to reset the system from my phone.”
“Then call her right now and get the code,” Toriia demanded. “Tell her to unlock the door remotely.”
Jordan hung up and called my phone immediately.
I was sitting by the fireplace at my cabin enjoying a book.
When I saw Jordan’s name pop up on my screen, I let it ring three times before picking up.
“Sandra, thank God you answered.” Jordan practically sobbed into the phone. “My mother is at the house right now with 10 people. Keypad lock is locked out and there’s no key under the mat. They’re standing in the cold. Please unlock the front door using your phone app.”
I took a slow sip of my wine and spoke into the microphone with absolute composure.
“Jordan, I told you and your mother on Tuesday that I was away,” I said. “When I go away, I secure my property. I am not operating as a remote door man for 10 people who demanded access to a home I paid for.”
“Sandra, please.” Jordan begged. “It’s my family. They have nowhere else to go. My aunt is furious. Just open the app and press the unlock button.”
“No, Jordan,” I replied flatly. “Your mother told me to rent an Airbnb and get out of her way. I took her advice and went away. You are the host of this event.”
“Figure it out.”
I hung up the phone, tapped the screen, and placed Jordan’s number on silent for the rest of the evening.
Down at the suburban house, things went from bad to worse.