Chapter 6 - The Bags Outside
I called Bethany Cole, the realtor, while standing in the foyer where the suitcases still crowded the floor.
I put her on speaker.
Laurel’s expression turned sharp.
“Really?”
“Yes,” I said.
Bethany answered with professional caution.
“Margaret?”
“Bethany, I’m here with Laurel Ellis, Daniel Ellis, and Laurel’s family. I need you to confirm what you sent me.”
There was a brief pause.
Then Bethany said, “A woman named Laurel contacted me about your lake house, said she was your daughter, and asked whether the property could be assessed for extended-family rental conversion. She sent a floor plan with room assignments and requested referrals for a contractor who could price a private lower-level entrance.”
Denise covered her mouth.
Roy stepped away from his suitcase.
Kendra stared at Laurel.
Laurel’s voice was thin. “I said daughter-in-law.”
Bethany did not hesitate.
“My notes say daughter. I confirmed twice because the property records list Margaret Ellis as sole owner.”
Daniel looked at his wife like he was seeing a room in their marriage he had never opened.
“Laurel,” he said.
She rounded on him. “Don’t stand there like you didn’t want this solved.”
“I wanted to help your parents,” he said. “Not take my mother’s house.”
“You told me she was lonely.”
“I said she misses Dad.”
“You said she needed people around.”
“I did not say to move your entire family in and cut a door into her basement.”
The relatives on the porch had gone very quiet.
I thanked Bethany and ended the call.
Then I opened the front door fully.
The afternoon air came in clean and bright off the lake.
“Take the bags outside,” I said.
No one moved at first.
Then Roy picked up the nearest suitcase.
Denise followed.
Kendra grabbed her pillow and muttered something under her breath that sounded like, “I knew it.”
One by one, the bags crossed back over the threshold.
Every wheel felt like a stitch being pulled from a wound.
Laurel stood in the foyer until only her suitcase remained.
She looked at Daniel.
He did not move to help her.
That was the first decent thing he had done all day.
Finally, she grabbed the handle herself.
At the door, she turned back to me.
“You’ll regret this when you’re old and need someone.”
I looked at her.
“I am old enough to know the difference between care and occupation.”
Her mouth opened.
No words came.
Then she walked out.
Daniel remained inside, between the staircase and the entry table, staring at the spare key.
I picked it up and put it in my pocket.
May you like
He watched me do it.
He deserved to.
