My mother-in-law pointed at the door during New Year’s dinner and snapped, **“If you don’t like my rules, get out!”** – Welcome

a way to occupy the same space going forward.

My mother came and stood beside my father. She looked at me for a moment, then at Emma, then back at me.

“She made that herself?” my mother asked. “The sign?”

“She did,” I said. “Stayed up late two nights ago to get the letters right.”

My mother pressed her lips together and looked away, and I saw something continue reading …