“My condition isn’t contagious. The doctor already explained that.”
She looked at my swollen legs.
“I’m not risking my children.”
The next day, I found a separate plate, cup, and fork on the kitchen counter.
“They’re yours,” Jessica said.
A week later, I accidentally picked up Daniel’s glass.
Jessica took it from my hand and threw it straight into the trash.
“Better safe than sorry.”
Soon, the children were no longer allowed inside my room.
If Lily tried to sit beside me, Jessica called her away.
Then one afternoon, I heard Lily ask:
“Mommy, will I get sick if Grandpa touches me?”
Jessica replied loudly enough for me to hear:
“That’s why I told you to stay away from him.”
I said nothing.
I didn’t want to cause problems in my son’s marriage.
But things got worse.
When Jessica invited friends over, she came into my room and said:
“Could you stay in here tonight?”
“Why?”
Her eyes moved toward my legs.
“People feel uncomfortable.”
That evening, I sat alone while everyone laughed and ate dinner in the next room.
Two days later, my chair disappeared from the living room.
