The next morning, Dad and I arrived at the
courthouse. Mom stood there, a vision in
white, radiating a tragic, solitary elegance.
Except for the large suitcase by her side.
Dad, despite everything, felt a pang of
something. “Why the suitcase? Are you
<
Mom shot him a glacial look. “Thanks to
you.”
Dad was confused, but I understood. Uncle
had kicked her out after she failed to secure
the villa.
I nudged Dad to get the paperwork started.
Mom, noticing, pulled a small knife out of her
purse. Dad instinctively shielded me. Imitating
some dramatic movie scene, she sliced a
piece of fabric from her dress, held it aloft,
and let the wind carry it away. “Consider this
a symbolic severing of all ties between us.”
Dad just stared, then headed inside. Due to
the mandatory waiting period, the divorce
wouldn’t be finalized for 30 days.
Outside, Mom, suitcase in tow, walked away
く
without a word. I shook my head. She could
pretend money was dirt, but she wasn’t a
fairy. She needed to live. I wondered if she’d
remember us “heartless” people when she
needed that “dirt.”
10
Dad had only threatened to call the police on
Uncle. He hadn’t actually filed charges. We
continued trying to sell the villa, but Uncle’s
antics had scared off potential buyers. Dad
had to sell our old house to cover immediate
expenses, but it barely made a dent in the
debt.
Before we found another buyer, the security
company called. “Mr. Miller, there’s
construction happening at your property. Do
you need us to intervene?”
<
Dad was about to race over, but I stopped
him, taking the phone. “No intervention
needed. Just allow them access.”
I hung up and dialed 911. “Dad, they’re
renovating our house. That’s illegal. Don’t be
soft on them anymore.”
Dad slammed his fist on the sofa. We met the
police at the villa. Uncle was directing the
demolition. “Knock down this wall! Combine
the bedrooms! This will be my game room!”
Dad and I marched in, using a megaphone
we’d picked up on the way. “STOP
EVERYTHING!”
The workers froze. Uncle and Aunt stomped
over. “What now, Miller? This house is mine! I
can renovate it if I want to!”
<
Dad’s disgust was evident. “For the last time,
this is my property. Your sister has no claim.
Her ‘gift‘ means nothing legally. Get out.”
Uncle smirked. “I’m staying. What are you
going to do?”
Just then, the sirens wailed.
11
Uncle and Aunt paled. Uncle pulled out a pack
of cigarettes, attempting to bribe the officers.
“Hey officers, what’s up? Have a smoke?”
They weren’t buying it. “Who called?”
Dad stepped forward. “I did.” We’d come
prepared, with the deed in hand. “This is our
house. He’s trespassing and damaging our
<
property. I already warned him.”
Uncle and Aunt swarmed the officers. “Don’t
listen to him! This is my sister’s house! She
promised it to us as a wedding gift! My wife’s
pregnant! We need to get the house ready!
He’s being spiteful! Now my wife’s
threatening to leave me! What am I supposed
to do? We have a baby on the way!”
“Miller, you’re loaded! You don’t need this
little villa! Just give it to your brother–in–law!”
Uncle’s performance painted Dad as the
villain. Fortunately, the police investigated.
“They’re divorced. Even if she promised you
the house, it’s not legally binding. Apologize.”
Looking at the mess, I was furious. Before
Uncle could weasel out, I spoke up. “We want
く
compensation for the damages. We’re
pressing charges.”
