selfish, Mom,” Karen said.
“What about the grandkids?” Melissa asked.
David was worse.
“You’re seriously going to waste all that money traveling?”
I made a major decision.
Then Eric snapped and said something I still remember perfectly.
“That house was supposed to stay in the family.”
I stared at him.
“It’s my house.”
He didn’t like that answer.
***
When I refused to change my plans, Karen and David blocked my number!
That hurt more than I let anyone see.
But I stuck to my guns, anyway.
He didn’t like that answer.
I told myself that while I could still walk through airports, carry my own suitcase, climb stairs without asking permission from my knees, and explore, I would see what I could.
I wanted to do that one thing for myself.
***
Australia was my fourth stop.
And that was where I met Arthur.
I wanted to do that one thing
