After a family dinner, while I was cleaning up in the kitchen, my daughter-in-law leaned close and whispered, “You old witch, I only tolerate you because of my husband.” I laughed it off and replied, “Don’t worry, you won’t be seeing me anymore.” The very next day, I had the locks on the house changed and…

This apartment was my property, and I was still paying the mortgage on it. I had let them move in after Phillip was laid off because I thought it would be temporary.

I thought it would be a year at most until they got back on their feet. Three years had passed.

I poured myself more tea and walked to the window. From the eighth floor, I had a sweeping view of the city and the distant hills.

Phillip mentioned that he and Melinda were going to a birthday party tonight. He asked if I would stay with the kids, but it was really a statement.

They never asked if it was convenient. They simply presented me with a finished decision.

I turned to him with a manufactured smile and said I had a new book I wanted to read in peace. Melinda pulled a yogurt from the fridge and said that was great.

She then mentioned that she noticed I used her French shampoo again. She asked me not to touch it because it was expensive and she bought it specifically for her hair.

I had not touched her shampoo because I had my own regular supermarket brand. But there was no point in arguing with her.