Vanessa became one of my closest family relationships.
Funny how life works.
Not because we forgot.
We remembered.
That helped.
Sometimes she would say.
“Remember when I called you a freeloader?”
I would say.
“No.”
“Never.”
Then we both laughed.
Ethan became better too.
Not perfect.
He still avoided confrontation sometimes.
Vanessa still liked control.
I still kept things to myself.
Growth does not erase personality.
It teaches you how not to weaponize it.
That was enough.
One Thanksgiving, many years after I moved across the street, we ate dinner at my house.
Noah was home from college.
Emma brought a boyfriend.
Ethan carved turkey.
Vanessa made apple pie.
Still not as good.
She knew.
After dinner, Emma pulled out the old paper.
HOUSE RULES FOR RESIDENT.
Vanessa saw it.
“Oh no.”
Everyone laughed.
Noah said.
“Read it.”
Vanessa covered her face.
“I refuse.”
Emma read.
“Wake up at five.”
