Sweet All Over
The day we move into our new home, Nora Ford says the first toast at our housewarming party has to be to my parents.
When I come home with an armful of groceries, I find my mom scrubbing pots in the kitchen. She's wearing a gray apron, her sleeves soaked through. The backs of her hands are scalded from hot water.
On the living room couch, Nora's male assistant, Caleb Jackson, sits with his parents.
He's wearing my slippers and holding my cat in his arms, ordering toward the kitchen, "Mrs. Shepherd, the soup's a little bland and could use some more salt!"
Dad crouches on the balcony, fixing the wooden rocking horse he's spent two weeks building by hand. A crack blooms across the horse's head, while a black shoeprint is stamped on its back.
"Caleb's parents came all this way," Nora says. "We can't exactly make our guests lift a finger."
Caleb quickly stands up, looking wronged. "John, don't blame Ms. Ford. I only asked your mom to give us a hand."
Mom hurries over and waves dismissively. "It's fine. I'm used to doing this at home anyway."
Caleb's mother chuckles. "Your mom works pretty quickly. If we ever need a housekeeper, I can put in a word for her."
Dad's fingers tremble. He's been crouching so long that his back hurts too badly to stand up.
Just then, the TV suddenly lights up. A line of text appears across the screen.
"Welcome, Mr. Caleb Jackson, to Ms. Nora Ford's new home."
The next second, a move-in registration form from the property manager pops up on my phone.
"Resident(s): Nora Ford, Caleb Jackson"
"Visitor: John Shepherd"
"Housekeeper: Maggie Cooper"
Maggie Cooper is Mom's maiden name.
I pick up the bottle of red wine from the dining table and pour it into Nora's beloved fish tank. "Screw this place."