Chapter 6 - MOM FINALLY UNDERSTOOD THE RENT
Mom invited me to coffee.
I almost declined.
Then she texted:
No requests. No discussion of Jenna’s bills. I owe you an apology.
Better invitation.
I went.
She arrived early.
That alone was concerning.
“I made you responsible for her.”
I said nothing.
She continued.
“When you were twelve and Jenna forgot lunch money, I told you to share yours.”
I remembered.
“You went hungry.”
“Yes.”
“When she broke your headphones, I told you they were old anyway.”
“Yes.”
“When she crashed Dad’s car, we paid the deductible.”
I smiled bitterly.
“When I dented mine?”
“You worked weekends.”
There.
Mom’s eyes filled.
“I thought you were more responsible.”
“I was.”
“I used that as a reason to give you more responsibility.”
“Yes.”
“And her less.”
“Yes.”
She covered her mouth.
“I thought I was helping both of you.”
“I know.”
That was important.
She had not spent thirty-five years plotting against me.
She had followed the easiest pattern until it became family law.
Jenna screamed.
Nate adapted.
Therefore reinforce Nate.
I said:
“The rent wasn’t generosity anymore.”
Mom nodded.
“It was expectation.”
“Yes.”
“I see that.”
“Good.”
Then she said:
“I told Jenna she has to start paying us rent.”
I nearly laughed.
“She’s living with you.”
“Yes.”
“How did that go?”
“Poorly.”
I smiled.
Mom smiled too.
Then:
“She said family shouldn’t charge family.”
Of course.
“What did you say?”
Mom took a breath.
“I said family shouldn’t forge family’s signatures either.”
I choked on my coffee.
May you like
Progress sometimes has excellent timing.
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