Chapter 5: The Truth Comes Home

She never complained, but I knew it hurt her. Every time she looked in the mirror, she saw someone else.

The shop owner tried to smooth things over. "Short hair has its own charm, and with a dress, it’s a classic look."

Rachel rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You shop owners will say anything to make a sale."

The shop owner just shook her head and went back to the counter, giving me a sympathetic look.

I watched her retreat, feeling embarrassed by my family’s behavior. Politeness matters, even when you’re angry.

Matt laughed, nudging Rachel. "If you ask me, buying this dress is a waste. The shop isn’t cheap. Better to use the money for a few bottles of bourbon or a good cigar! Much more useful!"

I was completely disappointed. Whether it was the pineapple or the dress or any money we might spend, it would always be called a waste—unless it was spent on them.

While we argued, Susan quietly changed out of the dress and back into her old, drab clothes. Her face was pale, the joy from a moment ago gone.

A wave of sadness hit me, then anger. My hands trembled as I reached for my wallet.

I pulled out my savings card and handed it to the shop owner, asking her to wrap up the blue-and-white floral dress and pick out a few more in Susan’s size.

I spoke firmly, my voice steady. "We’ll take this one—and a few others, too."

Rachel’s eyes widened, and Matt’s jaw clenched. They realized they’d gone too far.

But Susan held my hand, put the card back in my wallet, and forced a smile. "Don’t buy it. I thought about it, and there’s nowhere to wear it. It’d just sit in the closet. Let’s leave it for someone else."

Her voice was soft but resolute. She squeezed my hand, her eyes sad but determined.

She took my hand and led me out. We left the shop in silence, the dress left behind.

Rachel chattered about comfort and practicality, dragging Susan along to another store she claimed had better options.

The store was cramped, racks stuffed with identical cotton sets in muted colors, a big red sign in the window: "Everything $3, big sale!"

Rachel smiled, trying to make it sound like a treat. "Mom, these are nice. I’ll help you pick a few."

I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed Susan’s hand and walked out.

I grabbed Susan’s hand, leading her out of the store. I didn’t say a word.

The car ride home was silent, except for the engine’s hum. Susan stared out the window, the sunset coloring her face with a quiet sadness.

I squeezed her hand, offering what comfort I could. She gave me a small, grateful smile, but I could see the sadness in her eyes.

I shook my head and said, "It’s nothing."

I forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Just thinking, that’s all."

But an idea was quietly forming in my heart. Maybe it was time for a change.

I stared out the window, watching the city lights flicker on. Maybe we needed to reclaim a piece of our old life.

That night, Matt and Rachel went out again for the evening, leaving the house quiet. Ethan watched TV, refusing dinner, while Susan picked at her food in silence.

I watched her, my heart heavy. The silence between us was thick and sad.

"Susan," I said softly, after a long while.

She looked up, her eyes searching mine. I reached for her hand.

Her gaze was gentle, patient as always. I squeezed her hand, gathering my courage.

"Let’s go back to our old place?" I asked, my voice low but hopeful.

Susan’s eyes lit up at once, then dimmed again as she remembered all the reasons we’d stayed.

She bit her lip, worry clouding her features. I could see her thinking about Rachel, Ethan, all the things tying us here.

I squeezed her hand, letting her know I understood. We’d done enough for everyone else. Maybe it was time to do something for us.

Just then, Ethan ran over, eyes wide and excited. "Grandpa! Is it true? You and Grandma are leaving?"

Ethan’s voice was bright, his excitement unfiltered. He bounced on his toes, waiting for my answer.

"What? You seem very happy that Grandma and I are leaving?" I tried to keep my tone light, but couldn’t quite hide my surprise.

I tried to smile, but the hurt must have shown. Kids are honest in ways adults never are.

"Of course I’m happy! If you leave, Grandpa and Grandma can come sooner!" Ethan clapped his hands, grinning.

He grinned, his eyes shining. For him, family was simple—whoever gave him candy was the best.

"Grandpa and Grandma love me so much. Every time I visit them, they buy me pop rocks, rainbow candy, and more! Grandpa and Grandma never buy me anything!"

He rattled off his favorite treats, his face lighting up with each one. I smiled, even as my heart ached.

"I heard Dad say, once we get a bigger house, we’ll let Grandpa and Grandma go back to their old town, then bring Grandpa and Grandma over."

Ethan’s words were innocent, but I could hear the adult plans behind them. We were just a step in someone else’s plan.

"So if Grandpa and Grandma are leaving now, can I ask Dad to bring Grandpa and Grandma over now?" He bounced away, already planning his next treat.

I watched him go, the weight of his words settling over me. The more I listened, the heavier my heart became.

I looked at Susan, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Our place in this family was always conditional, always just a means to an end.

Rachel and Matt want Ethan to attend a school in a good district, but the houses there are expensive. They don’t have enough savings, and neither do we.

We’d talked about it for months, crunching numbers, trying to make it work. It always came back to us fixing things.

The plan was to sell our house in our old neighborhood for the down payment, use our savings to renovate the new place, and when Rachel and Matt sold their current house, that money would pay off the mortgage. Our old place was ours, but the new one would be theirs.

It was a complicated dance—our assets, their future. Susan and I agreed, wanting the best for Rachel and Ethan.

We only have one daughter, so it felt natural to give her everything. That’s what families do, right?

It’s what we believed. But now, I wondered if we’d left too little for ourselves.

But now…

I looked around the quiet house, the empty chairs at the table. Maybe it was time to put ourselves first, just once.

Did Matt ever think about where we’d live after selling our house and moving back to our old town? There’s still an old house in the country, but it’s been empty for over ten years. It might not even be standing anymore.

The thought made my chest tighten. The old house was more memory than home—a place left behind and slowly falling apart.

"Does your mom know about what you just said?" I asked Ethan, my voice stern.

I looked at Ethan, my voice serious. Sometimes, even a simple question can reveal the biggest truths.