“There is no abuse here. I don’t need anyone to rescue me. I chose to stay in Sam’s home, and I want to remain here.”

The officer nodded.

Greg slowly closed the folder he had been carrying.

“I’m sorry, Sam.”

I looked at him.

“I’m not the person you owe an apology to.”

Greg turned toward his mother.

Susan raised one hand before he could speak.

“I don’t want speeches.”

“What do you want, Mom?”

Susan looked at Greg, Marcy, and Laura.

“I want my family.”

Laura began crying harder.

Susan’s voice softened.

“If all of you have time to argue about what happens after I’m gone, then you have time to sit with me while I’m still here.”

Nobody had an answer for that.

So they stayed.

PART 3

That afternoon, something changed inside my house.

Greg made tea.

Laura helped Susan wash her hair.