Meadow’s laugh was sharp and calculating.
“Oh, believe me, I’ve looked into it. But Blaine gets all sentimental whenever I bring it up. Says, ‘We can’t just abandon his poor old mother.’”
Her voice dripped with mock sympathy.
“What he doesn’t understand is that she’s the one abandoning us by being such a burden.”
My legs felt weak.
I pressed myself against the wall, hidden from view, but close enough to hear every word.
Chapter 4: The maid
“Besides,” Meadow continued, “we’re waiting for the inheritance situation to resolve itself, if you know what I mean. Blaine thinks she might have some savings tucked away. Maybe a small life insurance policy. It would be stupid to move her out before we know what we’re dealing with.”
Another voice chimed in.
This one belonging to Sandra, a woman I’d met several times at family gatherings.
“How much longer can it be? Really? She’s what, 70? And she looks older.”
“That’s the problem,” Meadow sighed dramatically. “She’s healthier than she looks. Could live another 10 years for all we know. Meanwhile, I’m stuck playing nursemaid to someone who contributes absolutely nothing to this household.”
The casual cruelty of it took my breath away.
I’d known Meadow didn’t like me, but hearing her discuss my death like a business transaction was something I wasn’t prepared for.
“What does she even do all day?” Sandra asked.
“Oh, she keeps busy,” Meadow said with bitter amusement. “Cooking, cleaning, watching Jud when we need her to. Free labor. Basically, I suppose there are some benefits to having her around, but honestly, the negatives outweigh the positives at this point.”
I heard footsteps and quickly realized someone was coming toward the kitchen.
I slipped quietly up the stairs, my heart pounding so hard I was sure they could hear it downstairs.
Once safely in my room, I sat heavily on my bed, trying to process what I’d just heard.
They were waiting for me to die.
Not hoping I’d live a long, healthy life surrounded by family who loved me.
Waiting for me to die so they could inherit whatever scraps they thought I might have left behind.
And Blaine, my son, knew about this conversation, had probably participated in others like it.
The man I’d raised to be kind and compassionate was discussing my future like I was a stock option that hadn’t matured yet.
The worst part was how wrong they were about everything, about my financial situation, about my contributions to the household, about who I really was.
They saw me as a burden, a placeholder taking up space until nature took its course.
They had no idea that the old woman they were so eager to dispose of was actually in a position to change all their lives with a single phone call.
Later that evening, after Meadow’s friends had left and the house had settled into its usual routine, I made dinner as always.
Blaine ate without looking up from his phone, Meadow picked at her food while scrolling through social media, and Jud wolfed down his meal before disappearing upstairs to play video games.
“This chicken is a little dry,” Meadow commented, not quite looking at me. “Maybe use less seasoning next time.”
I nodded silently.
Though the chicken was perfectly moist and seasoned exactly the way I’d been making it for decades, Meadow’s criticism had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with establishing dominance.
It was her way of reminding me of my place in the hierarchy.
As I cleared the dishes, I listened to them discuss their weekend plans.
A wine tasting for Meadow and her friends, a fishing trip for Blaine.
Jud would stay with me, of course, which meant I’d spend my weekend entertaining a 12-year-old while they enjoyed their leisure time.
“Mom,” Blaine said suddenly, the first time he’d addressed me directly all evening. “Meadow and I have been talking about getting the house painted this spring. We’ll need you to pack up your room so the painters can get in there.”
It wasn’t a request.
It was an instruction disguised as information.
Chapter 5: The humiliation
“Of course,” I replied automatically. “Whatever you need.”
Meadow smiled with satisfaction, clearly pleased with my compliance.
“It shouldn’t take more than a day or two. You can sleep on the couch in the basement while they’re working.”