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.

daughter-in-law friction.

Harper wanted control over a house that wasn’t hers.

I had stopped giving it to her.

And eventually she decided the problem was not her behavior.

The problem, apparently, was me.

The moving boxes

I was sitting on the back patio reading the newspaper when David and Harper came outside together.

The sight of them told me the conversation had been rehearsed.

David looked miserable.

Harper looked determined.

“Mom,” David said. “We need to talk.”

I folded the paper.

“I’m listening.”

Harper stepped forward before he could continue.