“Just So You Know, We’re Using Your House for Christmas,” My Daughter-in-Law Texted — She Never Asked

siblings, cousins—around 25 people. Hope that’s okay “

I stared at the screen long enough for it to dim and go black, then tapped it awake and read the words again, slowly this time, as if maybe I’d misread them.

We’ll be using your house. Around 25 people. Hope that’s okay. Smiley face.

It wasn’t the number that bothered me most, though twenty-five continue reading …