PART 2 — "Pack Your Things."
No one spoke.
Even the washing machine seemed to stop beeping.
My mother's smile slowly disappeared.
"What did you just say?" she asked.
I didn't raise my voice.
"I said... pack your things."
I adjusted Leo against my shoulder while Emily leaned into me, too exhausted to stand on her own.
"You promised you'd help my wife."
I looked around the room.
"The groceries are still on the floor."
"The baby has a fever."
"The dog hasn't been outside."
"My wife hasn't eaten."
"And somehow..."
I glanced at the untouched teacup.
"...you've had time for afternoon tea."
My sister pulled one earbud out.
"Oh my God, are you seriously overreacting?"
I turned toward her.
"Am I?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Emily insists on doing everything herself."
"I offered."
Emily slowly lifted her head.
It was the first time she'd spoken.
"No..."
Her voice cracked.
"You never offered."
The room became still again.
My mother frowned.
"Emily, sweetheart, you don't have to make us look bad."
Emily stared at her.
"I asked you to watch Leo so I could shower."
"You said children build immunity by crying."
"I asked if you could fold laundry."
"You told me I was lazy."
"I asked if you could drive us to the pediatrician."
"You said gasoline was too expensive."
Each sentence landed like another brick.
My sister looked away.
My mother's face hardened.
"You're trying to divide this family."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"No."
I answered quietly.
"You did that all by yourselves."
I walked to the hallway closet.
Opened it.
Pulled out two suitcases.
Dropped them onto the floor.
"You have one hour."
"You won't be living here another night."
For the first time...
Neither of them argued.
May you like
Because they finally realized...
I wasn't bluffing.
