visiting.
Every time.
He stopped saying “our cottage.”
He called it “Mom’s place.”
At first, the words sounded deliberate.
Eventually they became natural.
He finished repaying the rental deposits.
He sent me proof without being asked.
He met with a financial counselor.
After selling his house, he moved into a smaller place.
Ashley remained distant.
When she spoke to me, she was civil.
That was enough.
I no longer needed closeness where respect had not yet returned.
Then September came.
September 8.
My week.
According to Ashley’s old schedule.
I
