“Well, clearly I’m not wanted here.”
There it was.
The familiar move.
Turn a boundary into rejection.
“No one said you’re unwanted,” I said.
She looked at me.
“You are welcome to stay here.”
I paused.
“As long as you respect that it is our home.”
“You have quite a difficult personality.”
“In my own home, I stand up for myself.”
Brenda laughed.
“Oh, Virginia, stop pretending this is new. You did the same thing with Mom.”
“Stay out of this.”
“You invited me into it.”
Then Walter finally spoke.
“That’s enough, Virginia.”
The entire table turned toward him.
Walter rarely raised his voice.
He didn’t need to.
Virginia looked hurt.
“You too?”
“I’m not against you.”
He looked at her steadily.
“But you’ve been looking for arguments since we arrived.”
Virginia stood.
Said nothing.
Walked straight to the guest room.
The door closed behind her.
Silence.
Then Brenda pointed toward the platter.
“So… can I have another piece before this officially turns into a funeral?”
Everyone laughed.
Even Justin.
Later, Brenda helped me clear the dishes.
“Don’t feel guilty.”
“I don’t.”
“Good.”
She lowered her voice.
“My sister has always done this when she thinks another woman is taking over a role she believes belongs to her.”
That sentence explained everything.
The curtains.
