When my grandmother moved into our house, everyone talked like it was temporary.
Mom said, “Just until she’s stronger.”
Dad said, “We only need to get through a few rough weeks.”
Grandma herself smiled from the recliner in our living room and told everyone, “I’m not done yet. Don’t you dare start looking at me like a ghost.”
But even at six years old, I knew something was wrong.
Grown-ups have this way of speaking too brightly when they are scared. They say words like “manageable” and “under control” while looking like they haven’t slept in days.
My father left the house before sunrise most mornings and came home long after dark, still in his work boots, smelling like cold air and engine grease.