"She's just playing, Patricia. Children make noise. She can't always tell how loud she is because of her hearing condition."
Patricia's eyes narrowed. "Disability isn't an excuse to disturb the peace. My husband is trying to work from home. Your daughter's screeching is disrupting his important calls."
I felt my face get hot. "She's not screeching. She's singing."
"Well, it sounds like a dying cat. Either keep her quiet or face fines." She shoved a paper in my hand. "This is your official warning."
I closed the door and leaned against it, trying not to cry. Emma didn't have many joys in her life. The piano was one of them. Her therapist said music helped her feel the vibrations she couldn't fully hear.
My phone rang. It was my boss. There was an emergency at work, a client crisis that needed my immediate attention. I worked from home as a customer service manager, and this client was our biggest account.
"I'll be right on the call," I promised.