“It becomes relevant when people start discussing ownership and the division of a marital estate,” Patricia said.
He went completely still.
“Division?”
“I have not filed anything,” I said.
“Then why is she here?”
“Because I need you to understand what this house is.”
“And what is it?”
“Ours.”
I let the word sit there.
“Not yours. Ours.”
“Sara.”
“When you called yourself the man of the house, you were not merely using an expression. You were telling me that your preferences mattered more than mine.”
He looked down.
“I made a mistake.”
“Yes.”
“I handled it badly.”
“Yes.”
“Can we talk without the attorney here?”
Patricia immediately stood.
“I’ll give you privacy.”
Judith followed her into the kitchen.
Mom began to stand too.
“Mom, stay.”
“Sara.”
“He needs to say this to you as well.”
She slowly sat back down.
Gabriel looked at her.
“Helen.”
“It’s all right,” she said automatically.
