She was lying. Melinda said I stick my nose into everything and that I was a grandmother stereotype.

Jessica said her mother in law was a headache too. They both laughed and a lump rose in my throat.

Melinda said the hardest part was pretending to appreciate my favors like laundry and cleaning. Jessica asked why she did not just move out.

Melinda sighed and mentioned the cost of housing. She said they had to put up with the old burden for now.

I quietly closed my bedroom door and sat on the edge of the bed. My hands were trembling but I did not let the tears fall.

I looked at my hands and remembered how they held newborns and closed the eyes of the dying. Melinda thought they were just tools for serving her family.

Rosie’s voice echoed in my mind again. Something cracked inside me like ice on a river.

The week after that conversation dragged by. Melinda’s words rang in my ears every time I saw her.

On Friday evening, I was dusting the living room when Melinda came home early. She said we needed to talk.

I set down the duster and asked if something happened. She said she got a promotion and was now the manager of the laundry chain.

I told her congratulations. She said she had to do some work from home and needed a home office.

She said she was thinking about using my room. I froze and asked where I was supposed to sleep.

Melinda shrugged and suggested the storage room. She said it was too big for one person and I only slept there anyway.

A wave of anger rose in me. I said I needed to think about it.

Melinda smiled condescendingly and said she wanted to start rearranging tomorrow. She had already ordered the furniture.

I asked if she discussed this with Phillip. She said he was all for it and that it was their chance to get back on their feet.

I said I would talk to him. Phillip came home later and I asked if he agreed to put me in a storage room.

He lowered his eyes and said it was only temporary. He said they would make it comfortable with a nice bed.

I sighed and said it was about respect. This was my house and I was still paying the mortgage.

Phillip said he was trying to provide for his family. He said the promotion was their chance to make things right.

I asked how long that would take. I asked when he would do something for himself instead of just indulging Melinda.

He fell silent. I told him to talk to Melinda.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of furniture being moved. I asked what was going on.

Melinda said they were getting ready to rearrange. Phillip avoided my gaze.

I said I had not given my consent. Melinda snapped that there was no time because she needed to start work on Monday.

I told them not to touch anything in my room. I went back to my room and felt strangely liberated.

By evening, I still had not made a final decision. Skyler brought me some tea and said it was not fair.

She said they could not force me into the storage room. I said I had led them to believe I would give in.

Skyler hoped I would not this time. Melinda walked in without a knock.

She told Skyler to go help her father with the boxes. Melinda began measuring the wall.

I said the answer was no. Melinda froze and said it was not up for discussion.