Melinda started ordering me around in my own kitchen and rearranging the furniture. She criticized my habits while Phillip stayed silent.
At first, I tried gently asserting my boundaries, but every time it ended in a cold war. So I began giving in on small things and then bigger things.
I hid the album as Skyler knocked. She had returned earlier than expected.
She slipped inside and closed the door behind her. She scanned the room to make sure we were alone and sat beside me on the bed.
She said she wanted to apologize for her mother and for what she said about the shampoo. I told her not to worry about it.
But she insisted that it was not okay. Anger flashed in her eyes as she said this was my house.
She said her mother acts like I am a guest taking advantage of her hospitality. I finished her sentence gently.
Skyler nodded and bit her lip. She said she talked to her dad, but he just brushes it off.
He says everything is fine and that I like taking care of them. I sighed because Phillip was a master of self deception.
I took her hand and said that sometimes it is easier for people to ignore problems. Her dad is a good man but he is afraid of conflict.
She looked me straight in the eye. She asked why I let them treat me like that when it is my apartment.
I shook my head and asked if I should throw them all out. I said they were my family and all I had left.
Skyler hugged me and pressed her cheek against my shoulder. She unexpectedly mentioned that she had been writing down my stories about the ambulance service.
She talked about the difficult calls and the lives I saved. She said I was so brave and asked what happened to that woman.
I did not know how to answer. I wondered where the woman went who rushed into burning buildings without hesitation.
I missed the woman who made life or death decisions in seconds. I missed the woman who was not afraid to put arrogant doctors in their place.
I whispered that she was still here but just a little tired. Skyler nodded and said she understood.
She said she had to finish her project but wanted me to know that she and Jace were on my side. When she left, I sat motionless for a long time.
Folsom went on with its life as an ordinary American town with ordinary families. There was another knock, but this one was louder.
Melinda said she wanted to wash the curtains in the living room. She asked if I could help her take them down.
I took a deep breath and prepared to leave my refuge. I stepped back into a reality where I was no longer the lady of the house.
I told her I was on my way. My friend Rosie stirred her coffee so vigorously that the sugar had dissolved long ago.
We were in our favorite café, which was an unassuming spot near the city library. Rosie had worked there for twenty seven years.
I lowered my eyes and stirred my own tea. At least Rosie was here because she was the only person I could still speak openly to.
I tried to smile and said it was not that bad. Rosie narrowed her eyes and told me to stop it.
She said I was letting them walk all over me in my own home. I sighed and admitted defeat because Rosie always saw straight through me.
I asked what I was supposed to do and reminded her they were my family. Rosie said families do not treat each other like that as she set her cup down.
She said she had known me for fifty years. She asked where the woman went who once stood up to a drunk bully twice her size.
I smiled as I remembered that I was nineteen and stepped between a man and his girlfriend in a parking lot. I said that was a long time ago and we were young and foolish.
Rosie leaned forward and said it was brave and right. She asked me to remember the ambulance service and the lives I saved.
I closed my eyes as memories flooded back. I remembered twenty eight years in emergency response.
I remembered pulling five people from a crushed minibus and delivering a baby in a skyscraper elevator. I remembered the nursing home fire and carrying out residents.
In those moments, I never hesitated. I knew what to do and I did it.
Rosie said I was strong and asked what happened to that woman. I said bitterly that she grew old and was left alone.
Rosie waved a hand and called that nonsense. She said she was not getting any younger and her husband had died too.
But she said she did not let anyone walk all over her. I said nothing as I stared out the café window.
Folsom had changed and gotten more crowded. Or maybe I had changed and become easier to overlook.
Rosie pushed a plate of lemon pie toward me and told me to eat because I had lost weight. I picking up my fork because it was pointless to argue with her.
I told her that everything was the same. Melinda bosses everyone around while Phillip keeps quiet.
They treat everything in the house as theirs. They criticize me if I touch their things.
Melinda finds fault with every little thing. She says I did not wash the dishes properly or that I listen to the radio too loudly.
Rosie asked what Phillip says to all of this. I said he says nothing or just brushes it off.
He says I know Melinda and she just likes to be in control. Rosie snorted at that excuse.
She asked about the grandkids. I said Skyler understands and tries to stand up for me.
Jace has retreated into his own world of games and headphones. We used to walk and talk a lot but now he hardly leaves his room.
Rosie said the situation was clearly not healthy for any of us. She told me I had to do something.
I asked what exactly I should do since they have been with me for three years. They do not have money for their own place.
Rosie said I did not have to throw them out but I did need to set boundaries. She said it was my home and I deserved respect.
I fell silent as her words echoed through me. Something stirred inside me, but it quickly faded because I was terrified of being alone.
I promised to think about it. Rosie snorted skeptically but changed the subject to a new computer system at the library.
I got home around five with groceries. Phillip usually did the shopping but today he was working overtime.
The apartment was unusually quiet. Jace’s door was closed and Skyler was at a friend’s house.
Muffled voices drifted from the master bedroom. I quietly went into the kitchen and started unpacking the groceries.
Melinda’s voice cut through the closed door as she asked if he was serious about the fifteen thousand dollars. I froze and listened even though I knew it was wrong.
Phillip said weakly that he was sure the team would win. Melinda was practically shouting as she said that was all their savings.
I covered my mouth with my hand. Phillip had lost fifteen thousand dollars gambling.
He desperately promised to win it back because he had a system. Melinda’s sharp laughter rang in my ears.
She said his system got them into my house three years ago. Phillip tried to soothe her by saying he would pay it all back.
He said he could ask me for a favor. Melinda snapped that she had had enough of favors and did not want to be more dependent on me.
I carefully placed the bag of vegetables on the counter. My heart pounded.
He was gambling again and had lied to me. There was no overtime.
The bedroom door flew open. I barely had time to turn to the refrigerator.
Melinda stormed out and slammed the door. She stopped when she saw me and said I was back already.
Her eyes were red from rage and her hair was disheveled. I asked what was for dinner and said I bought everything for a casserole.
Melinda stared at me for a few seconds. She shook her head and said she was leaving.
She grabbed her bag and rushed out. I exhaled slowly as Phillip emerged from the bedroom looking pale.
He asked if I heard everything. I nodded and asked how he could lose fifteen thousand dollars.
He lowered his eyes like a little boy. He mumbled that he thought he would get lucky this time.
