Part 2: The House That Was No Longer Mine
“I sold the house.”
Silence filled the call before Ryan laughed dismissively.
“You can’t sell your house without telling us.”
“I already did.
Closing was this morning.”
As I spoke, two SUVs turned onto the street.
My relatives climbed out carrying suitcases, pillows, coolers, and presents.
The new owner, Julia, stood near the mailbox holding her closing documents.
Mom marched toward her. “We’re here for Christmas.
My daughter lives here.”
Julia glanced toward me. “She used to.”
I stepped outside with the final key.
Mom’s expression brightened, certain I would fix everything.
“Tell her there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“There hasn’t.” I introduced Julia and placed the key in her hand. “She owns the house now.”
Ryan stared at the empty windows and the moving truck down the street. “Where are we supposed to stay?”
Not one of them asked why I had sold the house or whether I was all right.
Their only concern was where they would sleep.
“Not with me,” I said.
Mom’s eyes filled with tears. “You ruined Christmas.”
“No. I stopped letting you ruin mine.”
She immediately called me selfish, but David stepped beside me.