My pregnant daughter-in-law told my son she needed “peace and quiet” and that I had to move out of the four-bedroom house my late husband and I had paid off years ago.

the center of my home because he had belonged in the center of my life.

Harper saw me.

“Oh, Georgia. We didn’t expect you back so soon.”

“I can see that.”

Her friends grew quiet.

I didn’t make a scene.

I walked to the bookshelf, took the wedding photograph, and carried it to the mantel.

I moved one maternity picture slightly to the side and put my husband back where he had always been.

“I prefer my husband where I can see him.”

Nobody spoke.

I smiled at the guests.