Gordon had not told her about the legal challenge until she saw an envelope from his attorney.

“I asked him why he kept saying the house belonged to him,” she said.

“He told me he was entitled to it because he was Walter’s son.”

“What did you say?”

“I asked him whether being someone’s son was the same as owning their property.”

I smiled despite myself.

She looked thinner and frightened.

“I don’t know what our relationship is anymore.