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.
I took his hand and begged him not to do this anymore. He promised to quit but we both knew it was a lie.
I told him to go rest and that I would call him when dinner was ready. I went back to cooking but Rosie’s words echoed in my head.
I knew Melinda’s anger would eventually spill over onto me. Dinner was eaten in an oppressive silence.
Phillip barely touched his food. Skyler tried to lighten the mood but quickly gave up.
After dinner, I washed dishes while Phillip watched TV. Melinda returned around ten and she was not alone.
She was laughing with a woman named Jessica. Melinda said Phillip was probably asleep and the old woman was unlikely to stick her nose out.
I stood frozen in my bedroom doorway. I wondered if she was talking about me.
Jessica asked if it was cramped living with her husband’s mother. Melinda said it was temporary because they had almost saved enough for a house.
She was lying. Melinda said I stick my nose into everything and that I was a grandmother stereotype.
Jessica said her mother in law was a headache too. They both laughed and a lump rose in my throat.
Melinda said the hardest part was pretending to appreciate my favors like laundry and cleaning. Jessica asked why she did not just move out.
Melinda sighed and mentioned the cost of housing. She said they had to put up with the old burden for now.
I quietly closed my bedroom door and sat on the edge of the bed. My hands were trembling but I did not let the tears fall.
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