I looked at the photos of our wedding with George and Phillip’s birth. I saw his first steps, his school days, and his graduation.
There was a photo of him introducing us to Melinda when they were young and happy. Then there were Skyler’s baby photos and Jace’s.
The last pictures with George showed him gray haired but still vibrant. Who could have known a heart attack would take him so suddenly?
After his death, I held on. I worked in the emergency service for two more years before retiring.
A few months later, Phillip lost his job as an engineer. He called me right away.
He asked if they could stay with me for a year at most while they got back on their feet. Of course I agreed because I could not refuse my only son.
They sold their house to pay off debts, which were mostly gambling debts. Phillip had a problem with sports betting.
He moved in and got a job as an operator at an auto parts factory. It was a big step down in pay.
Melinda stayed at the laundromat. They barely made ends meet, just enough for necessities and the children’s education.
I never asked them for rent and only asked for their share of the utilities. But gradually and insidiously, everything changed.