I took a picture and called the number listed.
I read it carefully.
“Hello,” I said. “My husband and I were told we might be moving into an apartment here. How would that work?”
The property manager, Emersyn, confirmed what I’d suspected: tenants couldn’t simply hand their apartments over to relatives.
Any new occupants needed approval and a new lease.
“Are all the apartments available for renewal?” I asked.
“How would that work?”
“Not all of them. Some units are being taken off the rental market.”
“What about someone hoping to move in next month?”
“They’d need to apply for an available unit. Nobody should assume they’ll have an apartment without an approved lease.”
I thanked her.
“Not all of them.”
Emersyn had told me enough to know that Trey’s plan rested on assumptions.
And I knew exactly who to question next.
That evening, Bella called about curtains.
Not moving arrangements.
Curtains.
Trey’s plan.
“Those gray things in your living room are dreadful,” my MIL announced.
“They’re blackout curtains, Bella.”
“Exactly. Like living in a cave.”
“Would you prefer sunshine or an exorcism?”
She ignored me.
“Like living in a cave.”
I asked whether she’d spoken to her landlord about transferring the apartment to us.
Silence.
Then she said, “Trey will handle everything.”
Interesting.
After dinner, I asked Trey whether he’d seen his parents’ lease.
“No. Why?”
“Trey will handle everything.”
“Because we’re apparently moving into their apartment. I thought checking whether we’re allowed to live there might be useful.”
He sighed. “Why do you always complicate things? Mom said it’s fine.”
“Did the landlord say it’s fine?”
He stared at me. “She’s my mother, Josie.”
“Mom said it’s fine.”
“Congratulations! Unfortunately, motherhood doesn’t come with a real estate license.”
He walked away.
I let him.
The following morning, I contacted Karen, a real estate attorney.
He walked away.
Our house was in both our names. We’d bought it together after we got married, and we were both responsible for the mortgage.
Karen reviewed our documents.
She confirmed that Trey couldn’t simply give away my ownership interest.
His verbal promise didn’t transfer the property, and I wasn’t required to move out because he’d made plans with his parents.
Karen reviewed our documents.
“Whatever happens,” Karen advised, “don’t sign anything without reviewing it. And make your position clear in writing.”
So while I was at work, I emailed Trey and his parents.
I stated that I hadn’t agreed to transfer the house, surrender my interest, or move into their apartment.
Then I requested that nobody remove my belongings.
Trey replied, “You’re making this unnecessarily complicated!”
I emailed Trey.
On Wednesday, I asked for a family dinner.
“To celebrate the move?” Bella asked on the phone.
“Something like that.”
She was thrilled!
Trey looked suspicious. “Why are you suddenly being nice?”
I asked for a family dinner.
“Because I’d rather discuss everything over lasagna than argue beside a pile of cardboard boxes.”
I invited Bella and Adrian over for Friday.
I also asked them to bring any paperwork concerning the move.
Bella laughed. “We’re family, Josie. We don’t need paperwork.”
Of course.
I invited Bella.
For the next two days, I behaved perfectly.
I helped Bella label some packed boxes, although I made sure nothing else was packed or removed.
When she suggested replacing my dining table, I asked whether she preferred oak or walnut.
She chose walnut.
When she said she’d turn my home office into her sewing room, I asked what color she’d paint it.
She chose lavender.
I behaved perfectly.
By Thursday evening, my MIL had planned renovations worth thousands of dollars.
Trey seemed relieved.
He even told me, “I’m proud of how you’re handling this.”
I smiled. “Thanks, sweetheart. Friday should be memorable.”
Trey seemed relieved.
Friday evening, Bella arrived carrying fabric samples.
Adrian brought a bottle of wine.
Trey helped me serve dinner.
I waited until everyone had finished their first helping of lasagna before placing a blue folder on the table. “Before dessert, I have a few questions.”
Bella arrived carrying fabric samples.
Bella frowned.
“First, where exactly are Trey and I moving?”
