Chapter 2 - Disrespect Under My Own Roof
Crystal pursed her lips tightly, offering no thanks to her daughter or to me, and turned to leave while trailing expensive perfume behind her. Brandon appeared in the kitchen right after that, yawning loudly and stretching his arms.
“Morning, Mom,” Brandon said, sniffing the sweet air. “These smell amazing, and you’re an absolute miracle worker.”
“Your father always said a Saturday without waffles wasn’t a Saturday at all, Brandon,” I smiled fondly at the memory.
He stiffened up instantly and looked away toward the window, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. “Let’s not talk about Dad right now, okay?” Brandon whispered quietly. “You know it just makes things tense around here.”
Crystal returned to the doorway holding the tube of lotion in her hand and glared at me again. “See? It wasn’t in the bathroom where it belonged,” Crystal snapped. “Don’t touch my things ever again, Nora, because everyone needs their own space.”
I nodded silently to keep the peace, though I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. This was my home, and I was paying the entire mortgage, yet I felt like an unwanted stranger living here.
Later in the morning, Brandon approached me in the living room with a casual request that felt more like an order. “Mom, Crystal and I are going out to a birthday party tonight,” Brandon announced without looking at me. “You’ll watch the kids for us, right?”
“Actually, I have a new book I’d really like to read in peace tonight,” I looked at him and said gently.
“That’s great, Nora,” Crystal chimed in as she walked past us into the hall. “Oh, and please don’t use my French shampoo again, because it’s very expensive and bought specifically for my hair type.”
I hadn’t touched her shampoo at all, but I decided not to start an argument. “I apologize, Crystal,” I replied calmly. “It won’t happen again.”
She sat down beside Brandon on the sofa, and they immediately began discussing their evening plans as if I were merely a piece of furniture. I retreated quietly to my bedroom, passing Toby’s room where I heard soft music playing.
I knocked lightly on his door and tried to connect with him one more time. “Toby, would you like to go for a brief walk outside?” I asked gently. “The weather is exceptionally lovely today.”
“Can’t right now, Nora,” he pulled off one headphone briefly and answered. “I’ve got an online gaming tournament starting soon.”
I nodded understandingly and closed his door, returning to my own sanctuary to look at my old photo album. I gently traced the pictures of Raymond, our shared life, and the quiet years before Brandon lost his job and moved in with his heavy gambling debts.
A light knock on my bedroom door interrupted my deep thoughts, and Brenda slipped inside softly. She closed the door behind her carefully to ensure no one else could hear us talking.
“I’m so sorry about Mom, Nora,” Brenda whispered as she sat next to me on the bed. “This is completely your house, yet she acts like you’re just an unwanted guest.”
“It’s easier for some people to ignore their own problems, Brenda,” I sighed deeply. “Your father is a good man at heart, but he is terribly afraid of conflict.”
“I’ve been reading your old personal stories about your time working as a nurse,” she held my hand tightly. “You were so unbelievably brave back then, so what happened to that strong woman?”
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“She’s still right here, Brenda,” I whispered back with tears in my eyes. “She is just a little bit tired.”
When she left the room, I felt a heavy stillness until Crystal knocked on my door abruptly. “I want to wash the heavy living room curtains,” Crystal demanded coldness in her voice. “Come help me take them down right now.”
