Chapter 3

My mother-in-law, Martha, came over on a Saturday afternoon.

I was washing dishes in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. David answered it.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

"Am I not allowed to visit?" Martha’s voice drifted from the living room.

"I came to see my grandson. Is that a crime?"

I dried my hands and walked out of the kitchen.

Martha was already sitting on the sofa, with two plastic bags of groceries beside her.

She nodded at me. "Vivian, David said you haven't been feeling well lately. I came to check on you."

I glanced at David.

He was staring at his phone, refusing to make eye contact.

"I’m fine," I said. "Have a seat. Let me get you some water."

"No need, no need," Martha waved her hand. "I’m not thirsty."

"David, when is your project bonus coming in? Your brother Justin needs the money."

My hand holding the water glass froze.

David looked up. "Mom, I told you, the bonus was canceled. I didn't get a dime."

"Canceled?" Martha’s voice went up an octave.

"How could it be canceled? Justin already made arrangements. He’s renovating his place after the holidays, and he’s just short of this cash."

"It really was canceled. Why would I lie to you?"

"Then figure something else out!" Martha slapped the armrest of the sofa.

"Justin can't delay this. The contractors are pushing him."

I walked over and placed the glass of water in front of Martha.

"Martha, have some water."

She took the glass, took a sip, and looked at me.

"Vivian, can you think of something? Don't you still have that old condo?"

I looked at her.

"What condo?"

"The one your mother left you," Martha said.

"It’s just sitting there empty anyway. Why not sell it to help David's brother?"

David looked up at me.

I didn't look back at him.

I said, "Martha, that condo was left to me by my mother. It’s not empty. I’m keeping it."

"But you don’t live there," Martha set her glass down.

"Why keep it? We’re family, Vivian. David’s brother is your brother. What's wrong with helping out?"

David finally spoke up. "Mom, stop it."

"What did I say wrong?" Martha glared at him.

"If Justin ends up single for the rest of his life because of this, I’m holding you responsible."

I untied my apron and hung it on the wall.

"Martha, we can talk about the condo later. Is there any other reason you came today?"

Martha blinked, taken aback, then said:

"Nothing else. Just visiting. David, can you drive me home?"

David stood up. "Sure, let’s go."

He grabbed his car keys, glanced at me, and said nothing.

The door closed.

I stood in the living room for a long time.

At around nine that night, David returned.

As soon as he walked in, he slammed his car keys onto the shoe rack.

"What was your problem today?"

I was sitting on the sofa watching TV. I didn't turn around.

"What do you mean?"

"The way you reacted when my mother brought up the condo. What kind of attitude was that?"

I turned down the TV volume.

"What kind of attitude did you expect?"

"That’s my mother," he walked over to stand in front of me. "What’s wrong with her making a suggestion?"

I looked up at him.

"David, your mother wants to sell the condo my mom left me just so your brother can renovate his house and get married."

"How do you think I should react? Should I get on my knees and thank her?"

He paused, his face tightening.

"She was just spitballing. She didn't actually force you to sell it."

"But she said it out loud."

"So what if she did?" His voice grew louder.

"My mother can’t even speak her mind now? Why are you being so petty?"

I stood up to face him.

"I’m petty?"

"Oh, you're so generous," he sneered.

"If you're so generous, why don't you bring out your mother's condo? Stop acting so high and mighty."

I stared at him.

I had looked at this face for fifteen years.

Right now, he felt like a complete stranger.

"David," I said. "Was the project bonus really canceled?"

His expression stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

"I’m asking you. Was the project bonus really canceled?"

He looked away and turned toward the bedroom.

"Yes, it was. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Are you going on a business trip next month?"

He paused.

"Whether I am or not is none of your business."

"Just asking."

He didn't turn back. He walked into the bedroom and slammed the door.

I sat back down on the sofa and kept watching TV.

A family drama was playing on the screen.

A husband and wife were standing on stage, yelling at each other.

The husband had cheated, and the wife wanted a divorce. The host asked the wife, "Do you still love him?" The wife said, "No."

I stared at the screen, watching the woman cry.

But I couldn't shed a single tear.

I took out my phone and sent a Snapchat to Ashley.

"Next month on the 15th. Have that VIP room ready for me. The one by the window."

Ashley replied almost instantly: "It’s ready. What about your mother-in-law?"

"I'll handle her."