Chapter 2: What Jason Wouldn't Say on the Phone
Ashley didn't leave.
That was the first thing I noticed when I finally looked out the window.
The moving truck was still in the driveway.
Her mother was sitting on the porch steps.
The children were running across the front lawn like they already lived there.
Then my phone rang again.
This time I answered.
"Mom." Jason's voice was tight.
"You need to open the door."
"I don't need to do anything, Jason."
"There are kids out here.
It's cold."
"Then take them somewhere warm.
That is not my responsibility this morning."
Silence.
Then Ashley's voice came on.
She had taken the phone.
"Margaret.
We have nowhere to go.
Our apartment is gone.
You know that."
"I know you gave notice without asking me first."
"We did this for the family—"
"You did this for yourself.
And you planned it so I couldn't say no."
Her voice shifted.
Harder now.
"You're going to let your grandchildren stand outside because of a legal technicality?"
I didn't answer that.
Because it wasn't a technicality.
It was my name on the deed.
Then Jason came back on the line.
His voice was quieter.
Almost careful.
"Mom…
there's something you don't know yet.
About the house.
About why we really needed it."
He stopped.
"Jason—"
"Not on the phone," he said.
"Please.
Just open the door."
---
What is Jason hiding?
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Margaret thought she knew the whole story — but she didn't.
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