Vanessa had qualities.
She loved her children.
Managed their schedules.
Worked part time in medical billing.
Volunteered at school.
She was not evil.
She was entitled.
Controlling.
Status-conscious.
Cruel when she thought someone lacked power.
That last part mattered most.
But people can change.
If they want.
Vanessa did not come over for three days.
The children came daily.
Ethan helped move the bookshelf.
Then a cabinet.
Then he helped me mount a television.
On the fourth day, Vanessa knocked.
I opened the door.
She stood holding a container.
“What’s that?”
“Lasagna.”
I looked at it.
“Ingredient label?”
Her face went bright red.
Then, surprisingly, she laughed.
A real laugh.
“I deserved that.”
“Yes.”
She held out the container.
“I made it.”
I took it.
“Thank you.”
She stepped inside.
Then stopped.
“Can we talk?”
“Yes.”
We sat at the kitchen table.
She looked around.
“This house is nicer than I expected.”
