“You’d better. More than likely, he’s going to try and drag you down further. You need to keep control.”

“I’ve already told him if I returned I would need to know about our financial situation.”

“Most of all, you need to be in charge of what you earn. Remember, I’m here. Keep talking to me. You can always move back here if you need to.”

“I know, but . . . I won’t need to. He’s a different man. But, thank you.” Eloise touched Lisa’s hand in gratitude.

“When are you going to tell Nora? You know, she’s not going to like it.”

“It’s hard for Nora to understand, and it makes it difficult for me to tell her.”

Sam kept his word. There had been no drinking and he continued to work full time. Even Christmas had been pleasant. He appeared to be making a serious effort, which Nora grudgingly admitted, but she still had strong reservations about them returning to live with him. What if he changed back to his old ways? Was this only an act?

It took a while, but in time Eloise talked Nora into moving back with Sam. If he backslides, her mother promised, they would leave. Eloise and Nora moved in with Sam the last weekend in January of 1969. The first three months were almost picture perfect. Sam outdid himself even helping with the housework. Nora liked how he had redone her room. Her closet had a door, along with hardwood floors, and a built-in desk. Life in their remodeled home had much improved. She even heard laughter between Eloise and Sam.

Eloise became accustomed to the good side of Sam. When he started to slip, she refused to admit it. At first, he stopped helping with the dishes or taking out the garbage and other little things. Eloise didn’t want to rock the boat so she didn’t say anything. Nora also enabled Sam by pitching in and taking over many of his tasks. Neither mother nor daughter would admit something might be wrong.

Nora also noticed her mother didn’t mention Lisa anymore. Sam resented her mother’s friend. Nora remembered the night she overheard Sam talking with her mother about Lisa.

“Who are you calling?” Sam asked, taking his eyes off the television.

“Lisa. I don’t see her much at work. We’re on different shifts. I wondered how she’s doing.”

“You don’t need to call her.” Sam stepped forward and put the receiver down.

“How dare you hang up. She’s my friend, and I want to talk with her.”

“Lisa means trouble. I don’t want her in our lives. For the sake of us, I don’t want you calling her.” Sam moved in front of the phone.

“Please move aside; I mean to call Lisa,” Eloise stated.

“No, you don’t.”

“She’s my friend, and I’ll talk with her if I want to.”