Chapter 1 - TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS BY BREAKFAST
Margaret Ellis was wiping dried applesauce from her son’s coffee table with one hand while holding her two-year-old grandson on the other hip when Melissa slapped a printed invoice onto the wood.
“Two thousand dollars by breakfast, Grandma, or don’t expect another invitation.”
Thomas startled at the sound and tightened both arms around Margaret’s neck.
Margaret looked down at the paper.
HOUSEHOLD CONTRIBUTION — $2,000.
Melissa had broken the amount into categories.
Guest-room occupancy.
Utilities.
Food.
“Additional household burden.”
That last one was almost impressive.
The living room around them looked as if a small tornado had developed an interest in children’s clothing.
Toys covered the rug.
A laundry basket overflowed beside the couch.
Two sippy cups sat under the television console.
One of Melissa’s sweaters was draped across a lamp.
Breakfast dishes remained on the dining table.
Margaret had been awake since 5:40.
Thomas had woken crying.
She changed him.
Made oatmeal.
Started laundry.
Packed yesterday’s toys into bins.
Took chicken out for dinner.
Then cleaned the kitchen after Melissa came downstairs at eight-thirty carrying an iced coffee someone else had delivered.
Melissa had done none of those things.
Now she reclined in the oversized chair with one bare foot tucked underneath her and watched Margaret read the invoice.
“Well?”
Margaret looked at her.
“Is this serious?”
Melissa took a long sip.
“Very.”
“For living here?”
“For everything.”
Margaret almost laughed.
She had been in that house for nine months because Jason and Melissa asked her to come.
Their daycare closed unexpectedly after a licensing problem. Jason traveled several days a week for his construction-management job. Melissa worked from home supposedly running a lifestyle-consulting business that never seemed to prevent her from having weekday lunches, salon appointments or three-hour Pilates sessions.
Margaret had agreed to help “for six weeks.”
Six weeks became nine months.
She had never asked for money.
Instead she bought groceries when the refrigerator was empty.
Paid for diapers several times.
Took Thomas to pediatric appointments.
Cooked.
Cleaned.
Washed bedding.
Stayed home when the toddler had RSV.
Canceled a weekend trip with her sister because Melissa had “an emergency client call” that turned out to be brunch.
And now she owed two thousand dollars.
Margaret folded the invoice once.
Then set Thomas safely on the couch beside his blanket.
“Stay right there, sweetheart.”
She reached into her purse.
Melissa smiled.
Apparently she thought Margaret was reaching for a checkbook.
Instead Margaret pulled out her own folded paper.
She placed it beside the iced coffee.
“Then read the bill you owe me before you collect yours.”
A suitcase wheel clicked against the entry tile.
Neither woman noticed.
Jason stood in the doorway.
May you like
He had returned from Richmond one day early.
And he had heard everything.
