Mom opened her shoulder bag and took out a blue folder.

“This house belonged to my parents,” she said, loud enough for the whole room to hear. “My father built those kitchen cabinets. My mother played that piano. When they died, they left the house to me. Only to me.”

She held up a document. The deed. Owner: Julia Anne Matthews.

“When Steve and I divorced, I let him keep living here, so our children could stay in their home and their school while I worked abroad.” She held up a second page, with Dad's signature at the bottom. “This is the agreement he signed. He could live here rent-free as long as he took care of the kids. It ends immediately if any other adult moves in without my written permission. Or if the children aren't properly cared for.”

She looked at Brittany. Then at the aprons Ethan and I were wearing, with The Matthews Home printed in gold.

“I think we can agree that both of those things have happened.”

The guests were staring at Dad now.

Mom turned to him.

“Steve, you have until the end of the month to move out,” she said. “Both of you.”