My Son Demanded Rent at Christmas Dinner

He had not mentioned rent.

He had not mentioned the house sale.

He had not mentioned that his mother was paying his mortgage while he described her as unstable.

I read the email once.

Then again.

There were coffee stains on the paper. Carol’s, probably.

“Ruth needs this,” I said.

Carol nodded. “I figured.”

My hands were steady now.

That surprised me.

Carol touched continue reading …