I looked around at the cabin.
“And every time I wanted something for myself, someone in this family needed something more.”
My mother used to call.
Kevin needed money.
Patrice needed childcare.
Someone needed a ride.
Someone needed a reservation.
Someone needed a favor.
Someone needed me.
And I had always answered.
“But when I finally bought something for myself,” I said, “you didn’t ask if I was happy.”
Kevin looked away.
“You asked when you could use it.”
The words hung between us.
Marcus quietly stepped back.
Even the children seemed to understand that something important was happening.
Then my mother’s car appeared at the end of the road.
Of course it did.
She had followed them.
The sedan stopped behind the pickup.
My mother stepped out.
She looked at the luggage.
Then at me.
Then at Marcus.
“What is going on?”
Kevin immediately walked toward her.
