“You Need to Be Out by Sunday,” My Mom Texted—Minutes Later, Their Key Cards Stopped Working

text back. My mother rubbed her shoulders like Jen’s heart was glass. Meanwhile, my college applications sat in a neat pile, untouched, and my father told me, “You’ll be fine. You always are.”

Yes. I always was. Because someone had to be.

Friday evening, Mom called. I was at a property showing for a potential eighth acquisition when my phone buzzed. continue reading …