When I called, my father sounded tired from the first breath he took. “Amanda, it’s just one party,” he said.
Then, my mother chimed in, “Don’t be selfish. This is for the family, and Rachel has already sent out invitations.”
That was when I knew that they did not forget about the villa.
They had taken my private residence and given it to my sister and wanted me to be her unpaid employee for the entertainment of 82 guests.
“What did the invitations say?” I asked my mom.
There was a long pause before she replied, “Just that the party will be at the Collins Family Beach Villa.”
I couldn’t hold back my laugh.
Collins Family Beach Villa!?
This villa is in MY name only on the title. The taxes on it are paid for by ME. The insurance associated with it is MY insurance. And yet they are attempting to change the name of the villa before a single paper plate has even arrived.
But I didn’t tell my parents anything about that.
Instead, I simply said, “Very interesting.””I hope Rachel has a plan B.”
Mom yelled, “Don’t you ever embarrass our family again.”
But on Saturday, there would be 82 people outside a villa that was not mine anymore…
Part 2
After I hung up on Rachel, she called me 9 times and then texted me the complete list of everything she wants from me. Ice, bottled water, graduation decor, seafood platter, and “maybe a team that cleans the place before and after.”
I read the list from my office like a person that was watching a storm approach a barren field.
Rachel had borrowed my clothes, my energy, my financial resources, and my time for years. Calling me family before I had the chance to call her a thief.
When I was 25 years old, she used my credit card to pay for an emergency and then let me figure out what charges had been made myself.
When I was starting my business, Rachel told all the family that I was very lucky to have investors who wanted to work with women at that time.
She made sure she contacted all the aunts and uncles for letters of recommendation for Madison to go to college, thus showing her “success” as my aunt.
Rachel had no idea I was keeping the villa secret, since she knew how it would turn out.
Mom would consider that to be selfish.
Dad would consider that to be smart.
Rachel would consider that to be an agreement.
By Thursday, my cousin Erin sent me a screenshot of the invitation.
“Madison’s Beachside Graduation Bash hosted by Rachel Collins. Oceanfront views and buffet lunch with music and photos of the sunset.”
Hosted by Rachel
In my home
For a party that had not been approved by either of us.I sent a copy of the invitation for the party in which my parent’s home was sold to my Real Estate Attorney, Jill Morgan, so the new owners could be alerted to the uninvited guests with balloons and coolers.
After I sent it to my Attorney, she contacted the Builder’s attorney, who contacted the Property Management Company, who contacted the Security Company of the Gated Community.
As a result, by Friday afternoon, a courteous, yet stern, sign was posted at the gated entrance(s) which read ‘Private Residence, No Scheduled Event, No Unauthorized Gatherings.
Rachel had no clue as to what had taken place.
She didn’t even pay any attention to the fact that her invitation had now been marked in the local paper or that the sign was now posted at the gates of her party.
All she could think about was posting pictures of her Gold Balloons on Social Media with the caption “Beach Party Loading.”
My parents called me on Friday night as they drove to Hilton Head.
My dad asked me if I had addressed the attitude I was having.
I asked him if Rachel had rented chairs.
My mom replied that Rachel had planned everything so perfectly.
I told her that she planned it all illegally.
My dad then raised his voice and said to stop with the legal threats.
I pointed to the Signed Closing Statement on my desk and said that it was a Real Estate Fact and not a Threat.
My mom asked what I meant and I said that she would know the meaning tomorrow.
At 1:07 PM on Saturday, my phone rang so violently that I thought my screen might crack from panic!
Rachel was the first caller.
Then, my mom.
Lastly, my dad.Rachel and then Madison, both of whom are cousins, called me with calls from an unknown number. This was the rental company trying to deliver folding chairs to a locked gate.
I missed all of the initial calls.
Later, Erin sent me a video from the street in front of the villa.