Caroline stared up at me with wide, curious eyes.
"Mommy, how come I have to switch schools?"
"And how come we're selling the house?"
She was too young for the truth. I smiled and reached down to smooth her hair.
"Because we're going to live with Grandma and Grandpa from now on. And to make it easier for you to get to school, we need to transfer you somewhere closer."
She thought about it for a moment, not quite understanding, then nodded. "Okay!"
A buyer turned up fast.
They paid without haggling and gave us three days to move out. I started packing right away. Caroline helped, carrying small things beside me.
Then the doorbell rang.
Through the smart doorbell camera, I saw who was standing outside: Kay, along with the others. Behind them sat a row of suitcases.
So that was the plan. They were going to move Kay in whether I liked it or not.
I glanced around the room. Packed boxes and luggage were everywhere. If they saw any of this, there would be questions I couldn't answer.
That door was staying shut.
Outside, Kay called through the intercom. "Jeanette? Caroline? Are you home?"