"A son taking care of his parents is only right and proper!"
His mother's screech echoed down the corridor.
"Illegal? Illegal? If you're so sure, then sue me! Go ahead!"
I met her eyes. Held them.
"You're right. I will."
The words dropped like stones into still water.
"You forced your way into my home. That's unlawful entry."
"You threatened and coerced me into handing over that lottery ticket. That's robbery."
I pointed directly at her, my voice cutting through the silence.
"And you pushed my mother—left her unconscious and bleeding. That's aggravated assault."
The hallway went dead quiet.
No one had expected me to fight back.
My mother-in-law's face contorted with rage, her foot stamping against the linoleum.
"This is madness! A daughter-in-law threatening to sue her mother-in-law?!"
She shoved Abner forward.
"Teach her a lesson! Show her what happens to women who don't know their place!"
He didn't move. Just stood there, wavering, looking at me like I was a stranger.
I raised my phone higher, the red recording light still blinking.
"Touch me, and I call the police."
Her face twisted into something ugly.
"I'm over sixty years old! Let them come—I'm not afraid of the cops!"
She lunged toward me.