Brenda stayed in her room.
Timothy didn’t bring up what he’d said to her.
I threw away the sealed sponges.
Neither did I. But I hadn’t forgotten.
On Monday, I returned from work and couldn’t find my measuring cup.
I used it every morning to prepare breakfast before leaving.
Brenda was making tea.
“Have you seen my measuring cup?”
Brenda was making tea.
“Top cabinet.”
I opened it.
The cup was behind a stack of serving bowls.
“Why did you move it?”
“I reorganized the drawers. They were crowded.”
“Top cabinet.”
“I use that cup every day.”
“Timothy said the new arrangement was fine.”
I pulled out the cup.
“Did you ask him because you knew I’d want it left where it was?”
Brenda put down her mug.
“I use that cup every day.”
“He’s allowed to make decisions in his own house.”
“So am I.”
“Then talk to your husband.”
She walked out.
This time, I didn’t follow her.
“So am I.”
I returned the things I needed to their usual places.
When Timothy came home, I told him what Brenda had moved.
“She said she was making room,” he replied.
“She moved something I use every day.”
He frowned. “I didn’t know that.”
I returned the things.
“Now you do.”
That night, Timothy was changing the guest-room sheets.
“Mom said the mattress hurts her back…”
“When was the last time we had an evening to ourselves?” I asked.
“We watched a movie last week.”
“Now you do.”
“With your mother.”
He smiled faintly. “Right.”
“I miss our privacy.”
He put his arm around me.
“It won’t be forever.”
He smiled faintly.
I believed him.
The next morning, I found Brenda looking through the guest-room closet.
“Looking for something?” I asked.
“Just seeing how much space there is.”
“For what?”
I believed him.
“My clothes. I’ve still got a few boxes at home.”
“Are you bringing more things over?”
“Perhaps. I haven’t decided.”
She closed the closet door.
“I haven’t decided.”
“Timothy said I should stop living out of a suitcase.”
I looked at the half-empty shelves.
“Those are where we keep our extra blankets.”
“Well, they’re not doing much sitting there.”
She smiled and walked past me.
I looked at the half-empty shelves.
I stood in the doorway, wondering why she needed more space for a temporary stay.
Two days later, Brenda offered to cook dinner.
I welcomed the break.
When I got home, Henry was helping her prepare stuffed potatoes.
“Grandma says I can do the cheese,” he announced.
I welcomed the break.
“Then I’m expecting delicious potatoes, hon.”
Brenda smiled.
“At least someone appreciates my cooking.”
I tasted the sauce.
“It’s good. Could you pass me a clean spoon?”
Brenda smiled.
She handed me one without arguing.
For the first time in days, dinner felt easy.
After Henry went upstairs, Brenda mentioned her renovations.
“The kitchen cabinets are going in next week,” she said.
She handed me one.
“That’s good news,” I replied.
“Assuming everything goes according to plan.”
Timothy glanced at her.
“There’s no rush, Mom.”
Brenda smiled at him.
“There’s no rush, Mom.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
I thought he meant she didn’t need to worry about a few days’ delay.
Henry came back downstairs for a glass of water.
“Grandma, will you make your stuffed potatoes again before you leave?”
