“It Was Never Yours,” My Mother Said — Then the County Recorder Pulled Up the Deed

she used when she was explaining why something that looked like less was actually an opportunity. “There’s a property on the east side. It needs some work, certainly, but think of it as a blank canvas. A real chance to make something your own.”

Blank canvas. The words hung in the air like smoke.

“Is this a joke?” The question came out before I could continue reading …