When I came downstairs, they were waiting with a small suitcase I didn’t recognize.
“We packed some essentials for you,” Melissa said brightly. “Brandon and I thought we’d drive you to look at Sunny Pines today. It’s a beautiful retirement community just two hours from here.”
“I’m not going to any retirement community,” I replied, pouring myself coffee. “This is my home.”
“Mom, be reasonable,” Brandon said. “The paperwork is done. We close with the developers next week. You can’t stay here.”
I looked at my son—really looked at him—and saw nothing of Nicholas in his face. Nothing of the boy who had once followed his father through the orchard at dawn, asking endless questions about pollination and pruning. Nothing but a stranger who saw me as an inconvenience to be managed.
“I need my medication from the bathroom,” I said quietly. “And I’d like to take some photos.”
