The day of the hearing arrived under gray skies. Margaret wore a gray coat with pearl buttons. It had been Arthur’s favorite. She fixed her hair carefully, applied soft lipstick, and placed her documents in a black handbag.

Helen walked her to the entrance. “Don’t let them bend you, neighbor.”

Margaret smiled. “I bent for too many years. Not today.”

Daniel and Rebecca were seated on the other side of the room. He would not lift his eyes. She did. She looked at Margaret as if Margaret were an intruder in a story where she was supposed to obey.

The judge asked them to speak. Rebecca stood first.

“Your Honor, my mother-in-law took advantage of our absence. She entered our home and took furniture, appliances, and things my children need. She left us without a refrigerator, without a washer, without a living room.