I touched his arm.
“Let’s pack,” I said softly.
If she wanted to go, I would not stop her.
By Saturday morning, her suitcases were lined up near the front door.
She had even put on jewelry.
Then the truck arrived.
At first, she thought it was part of her grand pickup.
“See?” she said, beaming as she hurried toward the door. “He even brought a truck for my things.”
Robert and I exchanged a look.
No one brings a moving truck for three suitcases.
Kevin stepped in first. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome in the practiced way of a man who knew exactly how to tilt his head in photos. Carol came in behind him, wearing oversized sunglasses and a cream coat that looked expensive even at a glance.
They both smiled too hard.
That was my first warning.
People who have good news do not smile like they are trying to sell you something.
“Mom,” Kevin said, opening his arms.
My mother-in-law rushed into them. “I knew you’d come.”
Carol kissed the air near her cheek. “You look wonderful.”
My mother-in-law turned immediately toward us, as if she had been waiting for an audience.
“You have no idea what I’ve endured,” she told Kevin. “Sandra is useless around the house. Robert ignores me. I’ve had to do everything myself.”
My mouth fell slightly open.
Robert made a sound that was almost a laugh but not quite.
“Mom,” he said, “you don’t do any housework here.”
She stiffened. “Don’t contradict me in front of guests.”
“Guests?” Robert said. “This is my brother.”
Kevin frowned at him. “You don’t need to embarrass Mom.”
Robert’s expression changed. “I’m not embarrassing her. I’m correcting a lie.”
Carol gave a little sigh. “Let’s not start with tension.”
“Good idea,” I said. “Why don’t we all sit down?”
We moved into the living room. Robert and I sat together on one sofa. Kevin and Carol sat opposite us. My mother-in-law took the armchair like a queen receiving petitioners.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then my mother-in-law looked at me.
“Well?”
I looked back. “Well what?”
“Tea.”
I almost laughed. “You’re welcome to make some.”
Her mouth opened in outrage. “Make an old woman serve guests?”
Kevin’s eyes shifted to me with mild disapproval, as if he had just caught me committing a social crime.
I stood before Robert could explode.
“I’ll make tea,” I said.
In the kitchen, I gripped the edge of the counter and breathed slowly.
I was not making tea because she deserved it.
I was making tea because I wanted my hands occupied when Kevin finally revealed why he had really come.
When I returned with the tray, Kevin’s smile had faded. Carol was twisting her wedding ring. My mother-in-law was still glowing, unaware that the air had changed.
Kevin cleared his throat.
“Truth is,” he said, “I sold my house.”
The words landed like a glass breaking.
Robert stared at him.
I stared at him.
Carol stared at the floor.
But my mother-in-law was the one who looked as if she had been slapped.
“What?” she whispered.
Kevin rubbed the back of his neck. “I sold the house.”
“Why would you do that?” she cried. “Weren’t you supposed to come pick me up?”
Kevin held up his hands. “Calm down, Mom.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down. You were supposed to take me home with you.”
Robert leaned forward. “Kevin, what happened?”
Kevin took a breath, and for the first time, his confidence cracked.