The Story Continues After Part 2

His face was deeply tanned from the two weeks he had just spent in Italy, but the anger in his expression made the color seem almost theatrical.

“I turned a room nobody was using into a place where children can plan their futures,” I said.

The sound of my voice surprised even me.

For years I had apologized before speaking.

Now I stood beside the dining table with a blue binder under my arm, aware of every volunteer waiting quietly in the kitchen.

“Get these strangers out of my house,” Gavin said.

“Our house,” I answered.

“And these are Selena’s friends.

They have permission to be here.”

Camilla pointed toward the guest room.

“My furniture is in there.”

“Your furniture is in the storage unit you asked us to pay for last year.

I had it inventoried, wrapped, and moved by licensed movers.

You can arrange collection with them.”

She opened her mouth and closed it.

Gavin stepped closer.

“You cannot just give my mother’s room away.”

“The Career Club uses it three afternoons a week.