“Whose idea was this?
“This house was bought with my money. Am I not even entitled to a room?”
Mom hung her head, feigning helplessness, while Marcela shouted arrogantly from outside, “Alina Weinberg, so what if you bought the house? Are you kicking me out now?"
“You’re all family, but I'm the outsider.” I said.
Tired of arguing, I pushed open the study door. My brother, Colton, was inside playing a game.
“Colton, they turned my room into a storage closet. Where am I supposed to stay?”
He took off his headset and looked at me. “Give me a minute, I’m almost done.”
I stood there, watching. After finishing his game, he walked over.
“Don't be mad. It’s Mom and Marcela. They’re always saying there’s too much stuff and no place to put it, so they used your room.
“How about this? Marcela and I will stay at a hotel for a few days. You can use our room.”
As he spoke, he asked, “How long are you staying this time?”
"You know, Boston is so far away. Why don't you just stay here and find a job nearby? It's better for the family to look after each other."
I had heard this countless times.
In the past, I would always say that my major didn’t match the local job market, and even if I found a job here, the salary wouldn’t be great, so I would return to Boston.
But this time, I agreed without hesitation, “I feel the same way. I've been drifting for years and it's time to settle down.
“I plan to stay for good, so having you and Marcela stay at a hotel is not practical. Let Mom and them clear out the room. I'll move in there.”
2
Colton was stunned for a moment.
Then he said, “Sure. I will have them clear it out right away.”
No sooner had he spoken than Marcela started to complain, “Clear it out to where? This house is so small, there’s barely any room to move!”
Everyone stood there, nobody making a move.
After a long stalemate, Colton finally said, “If you won’t clear it, I will.”
He started towards the room, but Mom grabbed his arm. “Do you even know how to clear it? Just leave it to me.”
I looked at my mother, and I didn't dwell on living in my previous room.
“If you don’t want to clear it, that's fine. The condo I bought isn’t being used, is it? Just give me the key, and I’ll move there.”
I held out my hand to Mom, but she didn't respond.
I glanced at her, then at Colton.
“What does this mean?”