I wanted one final evening at our old family table before everything changed.
At six o’clock, we sat down.
Vanessa wore a dark blouse and her hair pulled tightly away from her face. Daniel sat at the end of the table where Peter used to sit, a detail that had bothered me for months but that I had never mentioned.
June had gone upstairs to finish a school project.
Vanessa waited until I started serving the chicken.
“We’ve found a wonderful apartment for you,” she announced.
I kept the serving spoon in my hand.
“Have you?”
“It’s in a lovely community about forty minutes away. You’ll have meals provided, activities, everything.”
“I see.”
Daniel shifted in his chair.
“Mom, we can help with the transition.”
“And what happens to this house?”
Vanessa smiled.
“Daniel and I will take care of it.”
I looked directly at her.
“How?”
Her smile disappeared.
“Excuse me?”
“How will you take care of a house you don’t own?”
Daniel set down his fork.
“Mom, please.”
“No, Daniel. I’d like an answer.”
Vanessa leaned forward.
“We’ve been supporting this household for over a year.”
I almost laughed.
They hadn’t paid rent. I had covered the property taxes, utilities, insurance, and most of the groceries. When Daniel’s car needed repairs, I had even paid the mechanic.
But Vanessa continued.
“We’ve sacrificed our privacy. We’ve rearranged our entire lives around your needs.”
“My needs?”
