I believed gratitude would make me easier to love.

Even as an adult, I had the same habit.

If Richard criticized me, I tried to explain.

If Linda said I was causing division, I apologized.

If Lauren felt Arthur favored me, I offered to give her something to make the feeling disappear.

Now my grandfather was telling me that owning the house didn’t create an obligation to surrender it for approval.

I wiped my eyes.