My daughter-in-law laughed as she gave me a $2 scratch-off for my 73rd birthday. Ten months later, my own son shoved a senior living brochure in front of me and said, “We already picked your room.” They thought I was too old to fight back. They had no idea what I had been hiding.

“The market rent in the renewal offer is supported by an independent appraisal.

If you cannot afford it, you don’t have to renew.

The existing lease continues until its end.”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

“Is it?”

He looked away.

“We’re already stretched.

School tuition, the cars, Jessica’s student loans.