I hadn’t touched her shampoo, but I just said, “I apologize, Sylvia. It won’t happen again.”
She sat down beside Kenneth, and they began discussing their plans as if I were a piece of furniture. I retreated to my bedroom, passing Isaac’s room where I heard soft music.
I knocked lightly and asked, “Isaac, would you like to go for a walk? The weather is lovely today.”
He pulled off one headphone and said, “Can’t, Susan. I’ve got an online tournament.”
I nodded and closed the door, returning to my sanctuary to look at my old photo album. I traced the pictures of Daniel, our life, and the years before Kenneth lost his job and moved in with his gambling debts.
A knock interrupted my thoughts, and Faith slipped inside, closing the door behind her. She whispered, “I’m so sorry about Mom, Susan. This is your house, and she acts like you’re just a guest.”
I sighed, “It’s easier for people to ignore problems, Faith. Your father is a good man, but he’s afraid of conflict.”
She held my hand and said, “I’ve been reading your old stories about your time as a nurse. You were so brave. What happened to that woman?”
I whispered, “She’s still here, Faith. Just a little tired.”
When she left, I felt a heavy stillness until Sylvia knocked and said, “I want to wash the curtains. Come help me take them down.”
I went to my friend Mary’s café later, where I poured my heart out. Mary slammed her cup down and said, “Susan, you’ve known me for fifty years! Where is the woman who once stood up to that drunk bully in the parking lot?”
I smiled sadly, “That was a long time ago, Mary.”
She leaned in, “It was the truth, and it’s time you remembered it. You’re being treated like a servant in your own home.”
When I returned home, I overheard Sylvia and Kenneth arguing in the bedroom about fifteen thousand dollars lost to gambling. My heart hammered against my ribs as I realized the depths of the lies being told.
A week later, Sylvia cornered me and said, “I got a promotion. I need a home office, so I’m taking your room. You can move into the storage closet.”
I stood my ground, “No, Sylvia. That is not happening.”
She scoffed, “It’s not up for discussion, Susan. You’re just an old woman clinging to the past.”
I looked at her, truly seeing her for the first time, and said, “You are right about facing the truth. I paid for this apartment. You moved in because you were desperate. I am done being a doormat.”
Sylvia went pale, and Kenneth looked at the floor. I went to my room, feeling a strange, cold clarity.
I visited a lawyer the next day and served them an official notice to vacate. Sylvia screamed, “You can’t do this!”
I looked at her steadily and replied, “You have thirty days. That is more than the law requires.”
Faith and Isaac chose to stay with me, while Sylvia stormed out, followed by a defeated Kenneth. I put on a record of jazz that Daniel loved, and for the first time in years, I started to dance in my living room.
Faith watched me and said, “I haven’t seen you dance since I was a little girl, Susan.”
I spun around and laughed, “It’s time to remember how, Faith. It’s time to remember who I am.”
