My Daughter-in-Law Threw Me Out of My Own Home and Told My Son It Was My Idea — But She Didn’t Know I Held a Dark Secret About Her

Then I thought of Pat. She lived across the street, my friend since ’86 when my car broke down constantly and she showed up with jumper cables and a quip about my ex looking like a baked potato in pants. Best friend ever since.

I gathered my bags, the ruined cake, and crossed the street. Before I could knock, her porch light flicked on. The door opened.

There was Pat: curlers in her hair, robe slipping off one shoulder, cat tucked under her arm like a sidekick. “Well, goodness. I thought you’d be settled in some cozy senior home by now.”

“What?”

“Chloe told everyone you wanted to move to one of those nice retirement places.

Said it was your idea, Lach’s gift to you.” She tilted her head. “That was your plan, wasn’t it?”

I didn’t answer. I stepped inside, set my bags by her armchair, and put the cake on her kitchen counter.

Pat followed, barefoot and curious. “Estel, what’s going on?”

“She locked me out.”

Pat poured two mugs of the tea she always keeps warm and sat me down. “Tell me everything.”

I sank onto her checkered bench.Continue reading…