My daughter-in-law said in front of everyone at the family dinner, ‘Surprise, Mom! We’ve sold our apartment and we’re moving in with you.’ My son smiled beside her. I picked up the napkin, wiped my mouth, and said, ‘Perfect! But you two will be sleeping on the street.’

I was serving coffee when my daughter-in-law, Paula, dropped the bomb. With that smile that had always seemed too sweet, too perfect, she raised her glass and announced it to everyone at the table. “I have a wonderful surprise for my mother-in-law. Armando and I sold our apartment. We’re moving into Mom’s house tomorrow.”

My son—my Armando—was smiling by her side like a proud little boy. The other guests clapped. Someone said, “What a lovely family we are.”

I calmly took my napkin, dabbed the corners of my mouth, and replied in a voice that came out steadier than I expected. “That’s perfect, Paula. But you’ll be sleeping on the street, because tomorrow at 8:00 in the morning, I’m handing the keys to this house to the new owners.”