Guests were invited without asking.
Then Veronica claimed the main bedroom because she and Derek “needed proper space.”
My parents moved to the smaller guest room.
Weeks later, when Veronica’s sister visited for an extended stay, my parents volunteered to use the storage room temporarily.
Temporarily became indefinitely.
“Why would you volunteer?” I asked.
Mom looked embarrassed.
“Because every conversation had become exhausting.”
That was the first thing she said that I fully understood.
Sometimes people did not surrender because somebody forced them.
Sometimes they surrendered because they were tired.
Tired of explaining.
Tired of disappointing people.
Tired of being told every disagreement was proof they were selfish.
Dad placed his hand over hers.
“We kept thinking Derek would come back to himself.”
“And did he?”
Neither answered.
My phone vibrated.
Inez.
I stepped outside the workshop.
“Tell me.”
Her voice was alert.
“I found the property trust.”
“We just found the physical copies.”
