Mom looked straight at me.

“She’s been living here for free since she was five.”

I gripped the coffee mug harder.

She said it as though a child were supposed to pay rent for being raised.

Richard did not raise his voice.

“Samuel remembered the day you left her.

He also remembered every year after.”

He opened the folder and read an introductory passage in which Grandpa described his property, his wishes for the household contents, and his desire that Clara be protected from attempts to displace her while the estate was administered.