"Mom can't bear to be away from you. She's been thinking about you and Caroline these past few days, worried sick you might do something rash."
"When you two come back, let us come to you instead. You'll be exhausted from the trip."
Kay leaned in, her voice dripping with false concern. "Jeanette, don't push yourself too hard."
"If anything's bothering you, if you feel wronged in any way, just tell us. We're your rock. We're your family."
I murmured a couple of agreeable sounds and offered a few polite words before hanging up.
Not long after, the three of them grumbled outside the door for a minute, then left together.
The moment they were gone, I grabbed Caroline and rushed straight to my parents' house without stopping.
It wasn't until I stood at their front door that the knot in my chest finally loosened.
My mom opened the door and saw me. She was so overwhelmed she couldn't speak.
My eyes burned. I threw my arms around her.
"Mom, we're home."
In my last life, I'd owed my parents more than I could ever repay. I'd spent every waking moment looking after Kay, never daring to slack off, never daring to leave her side for a second. Decades had passed without a single visit home.
Now I could finally make it up to them.
Caroline copied me, toddling over and wrapping her little arms around us both.
"Grandma! We're home!"
My parents couldn't get enough of us.
At dinner, my dad kept piling food onto my plate like a man possessed.
"How long has it been? You're skin and bones!"
"Eat more! These are all your favorites."
My mom focused on Caroline's plate instead.
"Caroline, you eat up too."
"So, Caroline, how many days are you two staying this time?"
I set down my chopsticks and looked at them both.
"Mom, Dad. We're not leaving."
"We're staying for good. We're not going anywhere."
They stared at me, stunned by the announcement.
I pulled out a bank card and slid it across the table.
"I sold the house."
"This is the money from the sale. It's for you."
Giving this to my parents settled something deep inside me.
My mom seemed to guess what had happened. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Jeanette, you've been suffering."
My dad nudged her with his elbow.
"What are you crying for? The kids are coming home to live with us. That's a good thing! Quit with the waterworks."
He turned to me. "You see your mother? Tiniest thing and she falls apart."
My mom swatted him on the arm.
"Oh, shut up and eat!"
My dad looked at me, playing the victim. "See that? This is what she does! Your mother's been bullying me like this for years! Won't even let a man speak the truth!"
The two of them went back and forth, bickering like they always did.
I watched them and laughed out loud.
Caroline held her bowl in both hands, tilting her head to one side as she watched them go at it.
A few days later, a phone call shattered the peace.
"Jeanette Harding! Who gave you the right to sell my son's house without asking me?"
