Chapter 6 - FIVE DAYS LATER
Five days after the Thanksgiving note, Margaret’s phone began ringing while she was choosing a shower curtain.
Daniel.
Rebecca.
Daniel again.
She watched the screen flash, then tucked the phone into her purse.
The shower curtain had tiny blue flowers on it.
Arthur would have called it cheerful.
She bought it.
Outside the store, she listened to the first voicemail.
“Mom, where are you?”
The second had less confusion.
“Why is the furniture gone?”
The third came from Rebecca.
“You need to call us immediately. This is completely unacceptable.”
Margaret drove home.
Her dining table now stood beneath the window of her new apartment. The living room furniture fit closely but comfortably. The washing machine and dryer were in paid storage because her apartment already had both.
She set her shopping bag down.
Then she called Daniel.
“What have you done?” he demanded.
“I moved.”
“You emptied the house.”
“I took what belongs to me.”
“The refrigerator, Mom?”
“There’s a working refrigerator in the kitchen.”
“It’s the size of a suitcase!”
“It holds food.”
Rebecca spoke near the phone.
“Tell her about the curtains.”
Margaret waited.
Daniel exhaled hard.
“We came home exhausted. The kids walked into this.”
“What did they walk into?”
“An empty living room.”
“Their rooms are unchanged.”
“Jack’s crying.”
Margaret’s hand tightened.
“Put him on.”
“We’re trying to get settled.”
“Then don’t use his tears to make your argument.”
Silence.
For the first time in years, Daniel seemed to have no ready answer.
“Where are you?” he finally asked.
“I’m safe.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“I know.”
“We need you back here.”
Margaret looked at the photograph of Arthur on the bookshelf.
“For what?”
“Because you’re my mother.”
“On Thursday, I was too old to be included. On Tuesday, I’m young enough to fix everything.”
“You’re twisting this.”
“No. I’m finally saying it plainly.”
Rebecca took the phone.
“You embarrassed us in front of the neighbors.”
Margaret’s voice stayed quiet.
“You left me a note.”
“We were trying to spare your feelings.”
“Then you should have considered them before you booked the flights.”
Rebecca gave a short, sharp laugh.
“Fine. Keep the furniture. But don’t expect Daniel to repay money we always understood was a gift.”
May you like
Margaret opened the blue folder on her table.
“Then I suggest you both read what you signed.”
