\u201cBesides, you\u2019re retired now,\u201d my daughter\u2011in\u2011law, Jessica, announced, standing in the middle of the living room with her hands on her hips. Her chemically curled hair was pulled back into a high, tight ponytail. \u201cYou\u2019re just sitting around the house doing nothing anyway. You cannot just live here for free.\u201d<\/p>\n
I slowly set down my teacup, my fingers trembling slightly. The rag smelled of acrid grease\u2014probably from wiping down the kitchen stovetop.<\/p>\n
\u201cJess, what kind of way is that to talk to my mom?\u201d my son Daniel said as he walked out of the bedroom, his suit crisp and his tie perfectly knotted. A flicker of warmth sparked in my chest, but it was extinguished just as quickly when he continued, \u201cMom\u2019s getting older. You have to be a little more delicate.\u201d<\/p>\n
He walked over and stood before me, looking down with that familiar, impatient smile.<\/p>\n
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