My son said dinner was canceled, but when I got to the restaurant…

The one where every floorboard holds the memory of your childhood. The one you’re so eager to inherit. I opened the envelope and pulled out some documents.

You’re both just waiting for me to either die or become so helpless that you can stick me in Sunny Hills and take over the house. I spread the papers out in front of me. You’ve never asked what I want.

What my plans are. You just decided everything for me. Mom, what are you talking about? Wesley asked nervously.

What are your plans? I took the first document and put it on the table in front of the kids. I sold the house, I said simply. There was such silence you could have heard a pin drop.

Wesley froze with his glass in his hand. Thelma made a strange sound, something between a sob and a cough. What do you mean, sold it? Wesley finally squeezed out.

You couldn’t. You wouldn’t. But I answered calmly.

Three days ago. Mr. Jenkins, my lawyer, arranged everything very quickly. The house was bought by a young couple with two children.

Lovely people, full of plans and hope. They’re going to breathe new life into it. But what about you? Where will you live? Thelma looked like she was about to cry.

Oh, don’t worry about me, dear. I smiled. I’ve rented a small apartment near the center, near the library.

You know how much I love to read. An apartment? Wesley looked at me as if I’d told him I was moving to Mars. But the house, it’s our family home.

Dad wanted it to stay in the family. Your father wanted me to be happy, I said firmly, and for his children to grow up to be good people. One of those wishes I can fulfill.

I took the second document. But as for the money from the sale of the house, Wesley stepped forward, his eyes glittering greedily. Even at a moment like this, all he could think about was money.

I donated it to build a new wing of the city library. I finished showing him the donation document. It will bear your father’s name.

George always loved books. It’s a fitting tribute to him. You… what? Wesley looked at me as if I were speaking a foreign language.

But, uh, it’s, uh, that’s a lot of money. Yes, almost half a million dollars, I nodded. The house was well kept, and the neighborhood was very popular with young families.

And you’d just give it away? Thelma looked stunned. But mom, it’s, uh, it could, uh, secure your future? I finished for her. But you already have a future, honey.

You have a job, you have houses, you have cars, you have everything you need. I glanced at Reed who sat with his head down. He looked upset, but not about the money, because of the whole situation.

I’ve thought about the future, though, I continued, pulling out a third document. I changed the will. Wesley and Thelma looked at each other again, this time with ill-concealed hope.

Maybe they thought I’d left them something else, some savings, jewelry, anything. Everything I have left, my personal savings, jewelry, belongings, I’m leaving to Reed. I put a copy of the will on the table.

To the only member of this family who sees me not as a source of inheritance, but as a human being. Reed looked up, tears in his eyes. Grandmother, I don’t want… I don’t need to… I know, sweetheart, I said softly.

That’s exactly why you’re going to get it. Don’t worry, there’s not much in there, but enough to help you get started on your own. I turned to the others.

Their faces were a gamut of emotions. Shock, disbelief, disappointment, anger. You thought I didn’t notice how you treated me, I said quietly.

You thought I was too old and stupid to understand your plans. But I’ve seen it all, all these years. Every time you avoided my calls, every time you made excuses not to visit me, every time you lied to my face, I put the papers back in the envelope.

And you know what the saddest part is? I still loved you, no matter what, because you’re my children. But love doesn’t mean you have to let others violate your dignity. That’s what your father taught me, and that’s what I’ve tried to teach you…