“You’ll receive the formal notice in writing and by certified mail, even though you already have it in hand,” I said. “I’m documenting the basement suite as terminated occupancy effective thirty days from yesterday. During those thirty days you may not discuss Lily’s housing, room, schooling, or schedule with her in any way. You may not enter her room for any reason. You may not remove any property from this house except your own. If you try to take Lily from school or an appointment, the school and providers have already been instructed to call me and law enforcement.”
Mom made a sound of disbelief. “Law enforcement? For your own parents?”
“Yes.”
Dad rubbed both hands over his face. “Nora, do you hear yourself?”
“Perfectly.”
“You’re treating us like criminals.”
I looked at him for a long moment. “No. I’m treating you like people who used access to my daughter as leverage. That’s different.”
Mom set her mug down too hard. “This is because Rachel always needed more. You’ve held that against me your whole life.”
Rachel, who had just walked in carrying a stack of folded laundry, stopped in the doorway and said, “No, Mom. This is because you told a fourteen-year-old to leave her room.”