But there are ways to love a child without making yourself endlessly available to the adults.”
I knew he was right.
I’d just never separated those things before.
After reviewing the property documents, Marcus agreed to prepare an updated estate plan for my consideration.
He also recommended documenting any future problems involving access to the house.
“You can welcome your family,” he told me, “without handing them control of your front door.”
I thought about Claire taking the spare key.
“I hope it never becomes an issue.”
“So do I.”
When I returned home that afternoon, the box of ornaments had been opened and arranged beneath the tree.
Claire had placed several decorations on the lower branches.
The brass key was missing from the kitchen counter, but I assumed she’d simply forgotten to leave it.
I sent her a message.
Thank you for decorating.
It looks lovely.
Please remember to return the spare key.
Her reply came a few minutes later.
Of course, Mom.
I accepted that answer.
There was no reason yet to believe she intended to use the key for anything else.
Saturday morning, I drove into town again.
I needed a few household items, and I’d promised myself a proper lunch instead of another sandwich eaten while unpacking.
At 11:17, my phone vibrated.
FRONT DOOR — MOTION DETECTED.
I opened the security app.
Claire was standing on my porch.
Eric stood beside her.
For a moment, I thought she’d come to return the key.
Then I saw her take it from her handbag.
She unlocked the front door.
Eric followed her inside.
Neither of them had called.
Neither had sent a message.
I watched the foyer camera as Claire closed the door behind them.
“Okay,” she said.
“Let’s actually look around.”
Eric laughed.
“Your mom’s got herself a pretty nice place.”
Claire walked straight toward the staircase.
“Wait until you see the upstairs bedrooms.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
I was sitting at a small table near the restaurant window.
People were eating lunch around me.
A server was carrying plates past the counter.
Somebody laughed at another table.
Meanwhile, fifty miles away, my daughter was walking through my home as though she had every right to be there.
The cameras were motion activated.
When Claire entered the living room, the next feed appeared.
She stopped beside the fireplace and looked up at the ceiling.
“She really went all out.”
Eric whistled.
“One-point-two million, according to the listing.”
“So you found it?”
“Yeah.
Pulled up the whole property page.”
He turned toward the kitchen.
“This place is better than some vacation rentals we’ve stayed in.”
They opened my refrigerator.
Claire inspected the pantry.
Eric examined the appliances.
They moved through the house discussing the rooms.
Claire opened the guest suite door.
“This is perfect for your parents.”
Eric stepped inside.
“Private bathroom.
Nice.”
“Daniel and Natalie can have the two upstairs bedrooms.
We can take the one downstairs.”
“What about your mom?”
Claire glanced toward the primary bedroom.
“She has her room.”
I felt a sharp pulse of anger.
They were assigning bedrooms.
My bedrooms.
In my house.
Without asking me whether anyone could stay.
Eric sat on the edge of a guest bed and bounced slightly.
“Pretty comfortable.”
Claire opened the closet.
“Plenty of space.”
He stood and followed her back toward the living room.
Then he ran a hand along my new leather sofa.
“How much do you think she paid for this?”
“Who knows?”
“Five grand?”
“Probably more.”
He laughed.
“Your dad would’ve had a heart attack.”
I almost spoke aloud.
Robert would have admired the craftsmanship, asked where the leather came from, and then wanted to know whether it was comfortable enough to read on.
He wouldn’t have cared whether a sofa cost five thousand dollars if the person buying it could afford it.
But Eric had never taken much interest in Robert’s opinions when Robert was alive.
On the screen, Claire moved toward the windows.
Snow was falling lightly over the deck.
She looked delighted.
“We’ll surprise her for Christmas.”
Eric turned.
“What?”
“We’ll bring everyone up here.”
“Everyone?”
“Daniel, Natalie, Nathan, your parents.
Maybe a few of the others.”
Eric looked around.
“That’s a lot of people.”
“There’s plenty of room.”
He grinned.
“How long?”
“Three nights.
