Chapter 4 - The Family Meeting
The plan began during a Sunday dinner at Chloe’s apartment.
Richard had brought a folder containing printed information about residency laws. He did not fully understand what he had found, but he believed that if they moved into Carter’s house and established it as their primary address, removing them would become difficult.
Chloe liked the idea immediately.
“He won’t throw Mom and Dad onto the street once you’re inside,” she said.
Evelyn looked uncomfortable. “We can’t simply enter his house.”
“We have the old emergency key,” Richard replied.
Carter had given his parents the key during the renovation in case a pipe burst or an alarm sounded while he was traveling.
He had forgotten to take it back.
Chloe leaned across the table.
“We’re not stealing anything. We’re moving in with family.”
“What about Carter?” Evelyn asked.
“He’ll adjust.”
Richard opened the folder.
They decided they would arrive on a weekday when Carter was usually working in the city. The movers would unload quickly. Richard and Evelyn would place clothing in two bedrooms, family photographs in the living room, and groceries in the kitchen.
Chloe would prepare letters addressed to them at the lake house.
Richard suggested changing the utility accounts.
Chloe went further.
She downloaded residency forms and copied Carter’s signature from a holiday card.
Evelyn watched her trace the name.
“That doesn’t look right.”
“It only has to look close,” Chloe said.
The plan frightened Evelyn, but she did not stop it.
That choice would later matter more than any excuse she offered.
They rented a moving truck for Thursday morning. Richard packed their belongings from storage. Chloe labeled boxes for each room in Carter’s house.
She even marked one box CARTER’S OFFICE.
“What’s that for?” Evelyn asked.
“We’ll move his desk into the smaller bedroom,” Chloe said. “The lake-view room should be yours.”
Evelyn stared at the label.
At that moment, she understood they were no longer planning to ask Carter for shelter.
May you like
They were planning to take control of his home.
Still, she taped the box closed.
