When I Lost My Husband, I Didn’t Mention The Retirement Benefits He Left Me – Or The Second Home In Spain. A Week Later, My Son Sent Me A Message With Clear Instructions: “Start Packing, The House Has Been Sold.”

Darlene agrees with me. We think you should consider moving in with one of us.”
Darlene agrees. I turned from the window.

My daughter hadn’t called since the funeral. Hadn’t answered when I’d called her. “When exactly did Darlene share this opinion?”
Another pause.

I could almost see Donald running his hand through his thinning hair, a gesture he’d picked up from Russell. “We had dinner last night as a family to discuss your options.”
Your options, not our mother’s future or how we can help mom through this difficult time. My options, as if I were a problem to be solved rather than a person to be supported.

“I see.” I opened the refrigerator, staring at the casserole dishes still stacked inside. offerings from well-meaning neighbors that I hadn’t touched. “And these options include selling my home.”

“It makes financial sense.

You could help Lisa and me with our down payment. We’ve been looking at that colonial on Maple Street. And Darlene could use some assistance with Kathleen’s college fund.

It’s a win-win situation.”

I closed the refrigerator door with more force than necessary. A win-win situation. “Mom, you know I didn’t mean it like that,” but he had meant it exactly like that.

Donald had always been transparent in his selfishness, even as a child. It was almost refreshing compared to Darlene’s subtle manipulations, the way she’d learned to ask for things sideways, making me feel guilty for not offering what she’d never directly requested. “What did you tell your sister about my finances?” I asked.

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