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Gloria had found out. Gloria, [snorts] who had walked through my home like it was her son’s inheritance.
Gloria, who had thrown a party to celebrate. Gloria, who had never once asked whose name was on the deed because she had assumed, the way entitled people always assume, that what she wanted to be true simply was.
Derek, I said carefully, your mother needs to find somewhere else to direct her energy.
This was never her house. It was never even yours. The silence on the line was enormous.
She came on a Friday evening. I saw her car from the window and took a breath, set down my book, and went to open the door before she could knock, because I was not going to let her feel like she had arrived unannounced and caught me off guard.
I was going to make it clear that I had seen her coming and had chosen to open the door anyway.
She stood on my porch, my porch, in her good coat, her church posture, her severe gray bun.
Her face was doing something I had never seen it do in 6 years. It was uncertain.
Dominique, she started. Gloria. I did not move aside to let her in. What can I do for you?