I caught my dad on my security camera planning to move my brother into my house while I was on a trip, and when my mom said, “Once everything is here, she will not make a scene. She will just accept it,” I set a trap for them.

She walked through the house with the satisfaction of someone inspecting a successful project.

“This will work perfectly,” she said to my father. “Once Kyle is settled, Myra will see it makes sense. She’s always been the practical one.”

To his minimal credit, my father looked uneasy.

“I still think we should have asked her.”

“Asked?” My mother’s laugh turned sharp. “Gerald, if we asked, she would have said no. And then what? Kyle on the street? Our son? No. This is family helping family. Myra will understand.”

That evening, they ordered pizza.

Three large pies delivered to my address.

They ate in my living room on my couch and watched my television.

My mother called my phone.

I let it go to voicemail.

Her message was bright and cheerful.

“Hi, sweetheart. Just calling to check in. I have some wonderful news about Kyle that I can’t wait to share. Call me when you land.”