Chase held up her other hand in her life coach’s direction. “Why don’t you just ask that any such activity be done in private? Like, call the manager. You could also post a sign in the vicinity that says any inappropriate actions will be addressed. That way, people know. Most people who are blowing off steam after work aren’t looking to offend other people.”

One woman narrowed her eyes. “People define inappropriate behavior in different ways.”

That was definitely true.

“I’m just saying calling the police shouldn’t be the first response. A lot of people don’t intend to cause a scene.”

“Like you?” one woman said.

The prickles of shame came back with a vengeance. Why had she said anything? Now they were turning their intolerance and judgmental looks in her direction. Heat suffused her face. “Well, yeah. Like me.”

A few of the ladies looked away, as if they were embarrassed, but no one said anything.

Chase swallowed. “I did some things I’m not proud of. Obviously. But I never intended to hurt anyone.”

“Children watched you.”

God, this was so uncomfortable. She should have kept her mouth shut and drawn more snowmen friends for her fat snowman staring at her from the margin of her notepad. “I wasn’t thinking about that at the time.”

A woman who didn’t look much older than Olivia cleared her throat. Her green eyes reminded Chase of Zeke’s. She wished Zeke were here right now. Why she felt that way, she wasn’t sure. “So what were you thinking when you did those things?”

“I was thinking about forgetting all the bullshit in my life. Your kids never entered my mind. I just wanted to feel good. But I’ve learned that I can’t escape my emotions or my feelings by numbing myself. I guess what I’m saying is that you never know what someone is going through, so why not give them the benefit of the doubt? Those people who are running the Tilt-A-Whirl might need someone to . . . I don’t know . . . not call the cops on them? Sometimes asking people to stop what they’re doing works.”

A woman wearing a pantsuit and a lot of lipstick pressed her lips together before holding up a finger. “Listen, I get you’re doing a bunch of touchy-feely therapy crap, but the fact is a lot of those people are dangerous. If they were normal people, they wouldn’t be tramping around the country.”

“Define normal.” Olivia tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. She also used her therapy voice.

Lipstick lady glared at Olivia before finally saying, “You know what I’m saying is right. Those people are—”