“You should be grateful for the company,” Gwen added, already heading for the stairs. “Which guest room can we take?”
I stood there, shocked into silence, as they marched past me with their belongings.
“We’ll take the blue room,” Mom called after them. “It has the best morning light.”
As they thundered upstairs, Mom patted my shoulder condescendingly. “Don’t make a fuss, Katie. It’ll be nice having everyone together.”
I watched her follow them up, feeling like I’d somehow become a guest in my own home.
“But it’s my house,” I whispered to no one.
***
Two months of hell followed. Dishes piled up, laundry sat in the washer until it reeked of mildew, and food vanished from the fridge. No rent, no help with bills, and not even a “thank you.”
I was washing the breakfast dishes again one morning when Tyler and Gwen came into the kitchen, practically glowing.
“Katie,” he announced, his arm around Gwen’s waist, “we have amazing news.”
