My mother laughs, almost imperceptibly, and I shoot her a hard look.

“It’s a stopgap, Liv. You get to stay through the summer, and I’ll worry less.” Aunt Sarah sighs. “The house goes on the market soon. There are going to be showings, and inspections, and all sorts of things you can’t handle.”

“Can she?” I mutter, a whisper I’m not sure anyone even heard.

“Unless you want to go now?” Aunt Sarah looks a little panicked. “This would give me some time to settle in though. Find us someplace nice?” She glances at my mother and then at me. “The real estate market is brutal, it could take all summer to find something. They’ve got me in a hotel…”

Aunt Sarah looks stressed, and I feel bad that I’ve put up such a fight about this. I know she can’t help it. I can survive with my mother for a while. I’ll be working mostly, anyway. And she’s never been much of a mother, so I find it hard to believe that she’ll start flexing her muscle now. This could be good practice; I’ll be prepared if I’m stuck with a less-than-stellar roommate when I go off to college. Still, I can’t help but let out a little huff of air.

“It’s fine, we’ll be fine.” I put my hand on top of Aunt Sarah’s on the kitchen island. “Find us someplace nice.” I hate seeing her like this—anxious and off-kilter, and so … not herself.

Aunt Sarah smiles and lets out a deep breath. “Joanie, you okay with the couch until I leave?”

My mother nods. “Sounds good. I’ll just put my things in your room?”

Aunt Sarah nods and starts down the hallway, waving her hand at my mother. “I’ll make you some closet space.”

Aunt Sarah is halfway down the hallway and my mother is standing next to her suitcase. “Congrats on the big win, by the way.” I should stop myself there, but I can’t. “I bet it’s a huge relief to finally be independently wealthy.”

Mom’s face falls. “Thanks. I was doing fine though.” She pushes the button on her suitcase that lets her pull up the long black handle. “I have a photography business. I do seniors and weddings, and I just started doing some corporate work.”