After a family dinner, while I was cleaning up in the kitchen, my daughter-in-law leaned close and whispered, “You old witch, I only tolerate you because of my husband.” I laughed it off and replied, “Don’t worry, you won’t be seeing me anymore.” The very next day, I had the locks on the house changed and… – Reading Times

Passing Jace’s slightly ajar door, I heard soft music. He had returned to his room right after breakfast.

My grandson was absorbed in a game with his thin shoulders tense. I asked if he would like to go for a walk today because the weather was lovely.

He turned and pulled off one headphone for a moment. He said he could not because of an online tournament.

I told him I understood and made one last attempt at a smile. He nodded and slipped the headphones back on.

We used to walk all the time. I would show him plants and tell him stories from my nurse days.

But over the last year, he had retreated into the virtual world. He chose that over the constant tension in our apartment.