If I'm not even worthy of a real bowl in your house, then don't you dare come to me looking for a lifeline.
After I sold the house and the car, I had someone terminate both their employment contracts.
——
I stood there, gripping the door handle, trying to absorb what Yvonne had just said.
The dog bowl?
I stared at the bowl still dangling from my hand, stunned.
No wonder it had looked familiar the moment she pulled it out.
It was the same bowl her little dog Doudou ate and drank from every day.
A wave of nausea surged up from the pit of my stomach.
I doubled over the trash can and dry-heaved.
No matter what, I was her mother-in-law. I was Cary's mother.
How dare she make me eat out of a dog bowl.
I wiped my mouth, steadied myself, and knocked on the door.
It took a long time before Yvonne finally dragged herself over to open it.
"Mom, why are you back again? Isn't Dad waiting for his food?"
Cary couldn't meet my eyes.
I glanced toward the balcony, at the little dog in its cage.
Sure enough, the bowl in front of it was identical to the one I'd just eaten from.
"I forgot my phone. Just came to grab it."