Chapter 3
The Call From My Son
He called me at noon.
"Mom. What the hell?"
I kept my voice calm.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"There's a For Sale sign in your yard."
"Oh, that. Yes. I'm selling the house."
Silence.
"You're...what?"
"Selling. The real estate market is strong right now, and I've decided it's time to move on."
"Move on? Move on where?"
"I haven't decided yet."
More silence.
"Mom, this is insane. You love that house."
"I did love it," I said. "But things change."
"You can't just — we need to talk about this."
"There's nothing to talk about. It's my house."
He tried to argue. I told him I had another call coming in and hung up.
The Showing
By day three, we'd had twelve showings.
By day five, I had two offers.
My son and Emma showed up that Saturday morning.
I was in the living room with Linda, reviewing the offers, when I heard the knock.
I opened the door.
"We need to talk," my son said.
Emma stood beside him, arms crossed.
"Come in."
The Conversation
They sat on the couch.
I stayed standing.
"Mom, what are you doing?" my son asked. "You can't sell this house without talking to us first."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not just your house. It's our family home. I grew up here. You and Dad built a life here."
"That's true."
"So you can't just throw it away."
"I'm not throwing it away. I'm selling it."
Emma leaned forward.
"Mary, be reasonable. You're seventy-three years old. You don't need to make a decision this big on your own. Let us help you."
"Help me?"
"Yes. Help you think it through. Make sure you're not doing something you'll regret."
I looked at my son.
"Do you think I'm a burden?"
His face went blank.
"What?"
"Do you think I'm a burden?"
"Mom, where is this coming from?"
"Just answer the question."
He glanced at Emma.
"Of course not. You're my mother."
"That's not an answer."
Emma stood up.
"Mary, I think you're upset, and I understand, but —"
May you like
"I heard you," I said.
They both froze.
