Chapter 5 - WE THOUGHT YOU WERE MOVINGCole’s confession was immediate and insufficient.
“It was just a valuation.”
Dorothy held the card between two fingers.
“For what?”
“Information.”
“What information?”
“What the house is worth.”
“I know what it’s worth.”
“Do you?”
Dorothy stared.
Cole seemed to regret the question.
“I receive property assessments. I have insurance. I have an attorney. I am not confused about my assets.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“You implied it.”
Sabrina stepped in.
“Everyone should know what their property is worth.”
“Everyone should know what their own property is worth.”
Dorothy turned toward her.
“You do not own Rosehaven.”
Sabrina’s expression tightened.
“There you go again.”
“Yes.”
Dorothy smiled coldly.
“There I go again with facts.”
Cole rubbed his face.
“Mom, nobody tried to sell the house.”
“Yet.”
“Not ever.”
“Then why a realtor?”
“We talked about possibilities.”
“What possibilities?”
Cole looked at Sabrina.
That tiny glance told Dorothy more than either sentence had.
“Say it.”
“Downsizing.”
“For whom?”
“You.”
Dorothy let the word hang.
“Without asking me.”
“We didn’t know how to bring it up.”
“You began boxing my belongings.”
“We thought you were moving.”
Dorothy stared.
“To Jonah’s?”
“Yes.”
“Based on what?”
“You stayed five weeks.”
“I told you before I left that I needed a break.”
“Yes.”
“I told you I would come home after Labor Day.”
Cole looked at the floor.
Dorothy’s voice sharpened.
“You knew I was returning.”
“I wasn’t sure.”
“No.”
She took one step closer.
“You hoped I wouldn’t.”
Cole’s face tightened.
“That’s unfair.”
“Then tell me I’m wrong.”
Silence.
Sabrina crossed her arms.
“You were happier there.”
“How do you know?”
“Jonah sent pictures.”
Dorothy almost laughed.
“You monitor my Facebook now?”
“Everyone saw them.”
“I smiled in photographs.”
“You looked relaxed.”
“I was.”
“Exactly.”
Dorothy turned.
“And that gives you the right to pack my life?”
Sabrina snapped:
“We’ve been living here too.”
“At my invitation.”
“We’ve made this place function.”
“For five weeks.”
“Longer than that.”
Cole jumped in.
“Sabrina.”
“No.”
She looked at Dorothy.
“We’ve spent months dealing with the yard, deliveries, maintenance—”
Dorothy cut her off.
“You had your condo kitchen demolished for renovation and asked to stay here.”
Sabrina’s face reddened.
“And you said yes.”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t act like we invaded.”
“I’m not.”
Dorothy’s voice remained level.
“I’m acting like two guests began making plans for the owner’s property.”
That ended it.
For a moment.
Cole sat.
“Mom, can we start over?”
Dorothy looked at him.
“How?”
“We talk.”
“Good.”
She placed the realtor card on the table.
“Who invited Megan Hale?”
“I did.”
“Did she tour the house?”
“Yes.”
“Did she take photographs?”
“No.”
“Did you discuss listing?”
“No.”
“Did you discuss price?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell her I wanted to sell?”
Cole hesitated.
“No.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That you might be considering alternatives.”
Dorothy stared.
A lie.
Not technically perhaps.
But close enough.
“Did you mention I was away?”
“Yes.”
“Did she ask to speak with me?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“I said you were not available.”
Dorothy swallowed.
“Anything else?”
Cole looked uncomfortable.
Sabrina answered.
“She suggested getting legal clarity before moving forward.”
Dorothy’s eyes shifted.
“Legal clarity.”
Cole closed his eyes.
Dorothy leaned closer.
“What did you ask her?”
No answer.
“What legal question did you ask about my house?”
Sabrina looked away.
Cole finally whispered:
“What authority I’d need if you decided to let me handle the sale.”
The room went completely still.
Dorothy stared at him.
Cole continued quickly.
“Just hypothetically.”
There are moments when betrayal is not loud.
No screaming.
No confession.
Just one word.
Authority.
Dorothy picked up the business card.
Folded it once.
Then said:
“I think I’ve heard enough for today.”
She walked away.
Behind her, Sabrina whispered:
“You’re making everything sound sinister.”
Dorothy stopped.
Without turning:
May you like
“No, Sabrina.”
“You did that before I got home.”
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