« Good morning, Margaret, » she said sweetly. « I have something for you. »
She slid it across the table.
I looked down.
It was a typed invoice, neat and official, with my name at the top.
« Guest-room accommodation, » I read aloud slowly. « Food and utilities. Use of household amenities. Total, two thousand dollars. »I lifted my eyes to her face, certain I had misread something.
« And you stayed in our home, » she replied smoothly. « You used our water, our electricity, our food, our air conditioning. That isn’t free. »
My cheeks burned hot.
« I bought groceries, » I said. « I cared for your children. I cleaned every room in this house. I cooked every single meal. »
Her mouth tightened into a thin line.
« Nobody asked you to do those things. I’ll need the money before you leave tomorrow. »
For a long moment I could not speak.
I simply folded the invoice into a careful square.
« I don’t have two thousand dollars available, » I finally managed. « Please give me until morning. »
She leaned back in her chair, utterly satisfied, and returned to her phone.
« Fine. But I expect to be paid, Margaret. »
I carried my coffee to the guest room and sat on the edge of the bed, letting the humiliation wash fully over me.
Two thousand dollars.
For a moment I almost picked up the phone to call Jason.
I almost decided to write a check and flee with whatever dignity I had left.
Then I saw the little stack of drawings on the nightstand.
Lily and Noah had made them, crayon flowers and lopsided hearts.
Across the top of one, Lily had written GRANDMA in wobbly letters.
Something inside me straightened.
