Who owned the house?
Who paid the mortgage?
Why had three adults been living there rent-free?
Why had they taken my vacation?
Vanessa began deleting comments.
Then my aunt Linda called.
Unlike everyone else, she did not yell.
“Is it true?”
“I sold the house.”
“Was it legally yours?”
“Yes.”
“Were they paying rent?”
“No.”
“Did Evelyn really cancel your tickets?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then Linda sighed.
“Oh, honey.”
I expected criticism.
Instead she said:
“It took you long enough.”
I nearly dropped the phone.
“What?”
“You think none of us saw what she was doing?”
I sat down.
“Then why didn’t anyone say anything?”
“Because every time we did, you defended her.”
That hurt.
Because it was true.
Linda continued.
“Your mother has spent years telling everyone you were unstable after your divorce and that she moved into that house to help you keep it.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Help me?”
