my parents again. GetParenting Tips
“When we moved here, I told myself we were helping you. Then I started counting everything we did as proof that we deserved more say.”
Mom listened without interrupting.
“The groceries. Appointments. Cleaning. Cooking. I turned all of it into a list.”
Veronica slowly shook her head.
“And when people keep lists inside a family, eventually everyone becomes a debt.”
Dad settled into his favorite chair, which Veronica’s guests had occupied the previous evening, and touched its familiar wooden arm.
“I should have spoken sooner too.”
I turned toward him.
“Dad.”
His look told me not to interrupt.
“I spent my life teaching you boys to speak plainly. Then when I got older, I became afraid plain words would drive one of you away.”
Derek looked hurt.
“You thought I’d leave?”
“I thought you were ashamed.”
“I was.”
“That’s different from leaving.”
He stared at
