But she had clearly been preparing to.
I carried the boxes into the hallway.
Then I closed my bedroom door.
We signed a voluntary move-out agreement the following week.
It gave Michael and Vanessa approximately six weeks to secure alternative accommodation and move their belongings.
The house would be prepared for sale during that time, with any interior photographs or appointments involving their occupied rooms coordinated in advance.
Michael read every page.
Vanessa read the first two and pushed it away.
“I cannot believe we’re signing paperwork to leave your mother’s house.”
Michael picked up the document.
“Vanessa, we’re adults. We need our own place.”
“We had an apartment.”
“You agreed to end that lease.”
“Because you said your mother would let us stay!”
He looked exhausted.
“I was wrong to make you think this was permanent.”
She stared at him.
For a moment, I thought she was going to start another argument.
Instead, she picked up the pen.
“Fine.”
She signed.
Then she went upstairs.
Michael remained at the table.
“Mom, I’ve found some temporary work.”
I looked up.
“Have you?”
“A former colleague knows someone who needs help managing inventory at a distribution warehouse. It isn’t what I was doing before, but it’ll give us income while I keep applying.”
“That’s good news.”
He smiled faintly.
“I thought you’d be disappointed.”
