My Mother-in-Law Left a Blue Notebook in Our Hallway Closet—After My Son Was Born, I Finally Learned What She Had Been Recording Inside It

Ruth feared being judged from below.

Eleanor feared losing status from above.

Both used me as material.

Never again.

PART 70 — THE LOCK

We installed a heavy brass deadbolt.

For months, I checked it constantly.

Bedtime.

Midnight.

Two a.m.