The house in Upper Arlington had been my dream once.

I loved the long windows, the small maple near the driveway, and the room I painted soft green while waiting for Paisley.

But when I imagined returning, I still heard Agnes demanding dinner before I had even put down my hospital bag.

Lucas offered to ask his mother to move back to her condo.

She had stayed far longer than planned, and the repairs had been finished months earlier.

He said he would help her relocate and set boundaries around visiting.