Chapter 2 - THE SIX-MONTH AGREEMENT
The second document was not a deed.
It was a temporary occupancy agreement.
Claire had signed it with Brandon eight months earlier after Brandon’s construction-management job disappeared during a company restructuring.
He and Vanessa had been facing the end of their apartment lease.
Margaret had insisted they move in.
“Just until they get back on their feet,” she had told Claire.
Claire agreed on three conditions.
Brandon and Vanessa would stay no longer than six months unless everyone agreed otherwise.
They would contribute toward utilities.
And Margaret would continue living in the house exactly as she had before.
Rent-free.
No caregiving arrangement.
No household labor in exchange for housing.
No transfer of ownership.
Margaret read that paragraph twice.
Then she looked toward the folded bedding near the laundry room.
Claire’s stomach tightened.
“Where are you sleeping?”
Margaret tried to smile.
“The little room off the laundry.”
“That’s not a bedroom.”
“It has a window.”
“Mom.”
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“She gave us the main bedroom.”
Margaret shook her head quickly.
“I offered.”
Claire looked at Brandon.
“When?”
He rubbed his jaw.
“A few months ago.”
Claire remembered the last time she visited.
Margaret had said the primary bedroom was being painted.
Claire had believed her.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Margaret’s eyes dropped.
Vanessa answered.
“Because she didn’t want you interfering.”
Claire turned slowly.
“Did you hit her before tonight?”
Brandon said, “Claire.”
She ignored him.
“Mom?”
Margaret looked at the broken plate.
“No.”
Vanessa gave a short laugh.
“See?”
Claire’s voice went quiet.
“That wasn’t a reassuring answer.”
Margaret touched her cheek.
“I dropped dinner.”
“So?”
“Vanessa had guests coming.”
Vanessa snapped, “I had coworkers coming, and she started another one of her scenes.”
“What scene?”
Margaret’s expression collapsed.
Brandon stepped forward.
“Enough.”
Claire faced him.
“No. We passed enough somewhere between Mom sleeping beside the dryer and your wife hitting her.”
Brandon looked toward Margaret.
Then the folder.
Then Claire.
“You don’t understand what we’ve been dealing with.”
Claire picked up her phone.
“You’re right.”
She unlocked it.
“So explain it to the police.”
Margaret grabbed her arm.
“No.”
Claire froze.
Her mother’s fear was immediate.
Not fear of Vanessa.
May you like
Fear of what would happen if Claire called for help.
That was when Claire understood this had been going on much longer than one dinner.
