And behind it, usually unspoken:
Mom will know.
Mom will fix it.
Mom will make a bed.
Mom will cook dinner.
Mom will change her schedule.
Mom will bring the missing sweater.
Mom will smooth things over.
Mom will absorb the inconvenience so no one else has to.
“You’re adults,” I said gently. “You’ll figure it out.”
Her voice changed.
“Are you saying we can’t stay here?”
“I’m saying I haven’t invited you to stay there without me.”
“Mom, we’ve used the house for years.”
“Yes.”
“You told us it was a family house.”
“I said it was a house for the family. That isn’t the same as saying it belongs to everyone.”
“Gregory drove all the way down here.”
“So did you.”
“And what are we supposed to tell the kids?”
“That Grandma had a change of plans and you’re going to have a different weekend.”
