Chapter 1 - The Trip Ethan Almost Canceled
Three days earlier, Ethan had stood beside the front door with the same brown travel bag at his feet.
Noah had been healthy then, running through the hallway while dragging his gray blanket behind him. Lauren had laughed as she caught him before he collided with the shoe cabinet.
Ethan was supposed to attend an important conference in Chicago. The trip would last four days, and his company expected him to meet a client who could change the future of his department.
Still, something felt wrong.
His mother had recently announced that she needed to stay with them while repairs were completed at her house. Melissa had arrived the same week after arguing with her roommate.
Neither woman had asked Lauren.
Patricia had simply called Ethan and said, “We’ll use the guest rooms. It will only be temporary.”
Lauren had smiled when Ethan told her, but it was the careful smile she used when she did not want to create a problem.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Ethan asked while fastening his jacket.
“They’re your family,” Lauren replied.
“That wasn’t my question.”
Lauren glanced toward the kitchen, where Patricia was rearranging the cabinet shelves without permission. Melissa sat at the island scrolling through her phone.
“It will be fine,” Lauren said quietly.
Ethan noticed the hesitation, but his phone rang before he could ask more. His manager was waiting outside.
He kissed Lauren, lifted Noah into his arms, and promised to call every night.
Before leaving, he turned to his mother.
“Please help Lauren while I’m gone.”
Patricia smiled warmly.
“Of course. That is what family does.”
Ethan believed her because he wanted to.
Lauren watched his car disappear down the street. When she returned to the kitchen, Patricia had already moved Lauren’s coffee mugs to a cabinet she could barely reach.
“I thought this arrangement made more sense,” Patricia said.
Lauren placed Noah in his chair.
“I usually keep those beside the coffee machine.”
Patricia shrugged. “You’ll get used to it.”
It was a small sentence, but it carried a larger message.
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Patricia did not see herself as a guest.
She saw Lauren as the person who needed to adjust.
