“You use your career to diminish my son,” Gertrude said, her fingernails clicking against the porcelain plate.
“He is trying to build a technology firm,” she said. “He needs support, not a supervisor.”
“A firm requires clients, Gertrude,” I said. “And capital.”
Douglas flinched, his fingers tightening on his mother’s shoulders.
I moved into the small kitchen, hoping the physical distance would break the pressure.
The heater under the sink hummed, blowing dry, dusty air over my ankles.
Douglas followed me, closing the swinging wooden door behind him.
“That was unnecessary,” he said, his voice low.
“What is unnecessary is your mother living here for two months when she promised she would stay for three days,” I said.
I reached for a mug and poured a cup of lukewarm black coffee.
“She has nowhere else to go, Savannah,” he said.
“She has a condo in Spokane,” I said. “And you have been unemployed for eleven months.”
Douglas adjusted his shirt collar, his throat moving as he swallowed.
“I am working on the startup,” he said. “It takes time to secure the right partners.”
“The startup has no revenue,” I said. “We are living entirely on my income, and you are acting as if you own the day.”
“Your success makes me feel completely inadequate in my own home,” he said, his pitch rising.
He stepped closer, blocking the path to the kitchen counter.
“You treat me like an employee,” he said.
“I treat you like a partner who has stopped contributing,” I said.
“I need you to stay home today,” he said. “We need to talk about our future without your office interrupting every five minutes.”
I looked at my silver ring again, rotating the band around my knuckle.
If I fought him now, he would keep the door locked, and I would miss the nine o’clock launch completely.
The technical control system required my administrative credentials, or Marcus would not be able to deploy the code.
I needed to get to my tablet, which was still in my briefcase in the living room.
I carried my lukewarm coffee back toward the hallway, where my trench coat still hung over my arm.
Douglas and Gertrude were waiting by the dining room archway, their eyes following my movements.
I took a slow breath, letting my shoulders drop to mimic surrender.
“You are right,” I said, keeping my voice flat and soft.
Douglas stopped adjusting his collar, his hand dropping to his side.
“I have been putting too much energy into the technical control project,” I said.
“It is about time you realized that,” Gertrude drawled from the dining table.
“I will stay home today,” I said, turning to Douglas. “I can prepare a proper dinner for us tonight.”
A slow, triumphant smile spread across Douglas’s face, his eyes shining with sudden satisfaction.
“That is all I wanted, Savannah,” he said. “Just some cooperation.”
Gertrude tapped her fingernails on the table in a steady, victorious rhythm.
“I will make the pot roast,” I said. “But I need to change out of my work clothes first.”
“Take your time,” Douglas said, stepping away from the fro
