At 25, I built my own house, and at the housewarming, my mother pulled me aside

Lawyer confirmed fears. Emily could sue alimony, good chance win. Only help: prove she caused relationship break.

«Need witnesses you kicked out,» lawyer explained. «Neighbors, acquaintances remember events. If prove mother first broke parental duties, court may deny alimony.»

David found old apartment neighbors remembered kick out. Aunt Nancy, once pitied, agreed testify. Others too, all confirmed Emily treated older son bad.

But no trial. Events changed everything. Ethan got deep debt, serious to serious people.

As often with irresponsible, borrowed from lenders who hate waiting. Spent on fun, expensive gifts girl, payback time no money. First explained debts pay, then more convincingly with bruises scrapes.

Ethan ran to mother tears panic. «Mom, help!» he cried. — They’ll kill if not pay.

— What debt? How much? — $30,000. Thought could pay, didn’t.

Emily paled…

$30,000 huge for family. No such money ever. Ethan, what done? — Didn’t know.

Said no rush return, then suddenly all now. Now what? — Don’t know. Help somehow.

Maybe go David, ask? — David won’t. Saw what you became. Say, got yourself in, get out.

— But I’ll die. — Won’t. Think something.

Emily three days thought what do. Then decided only possible. Sold apartment.

Apartment only valuable asset. Inherited studio in not best area, but real estate in city. Sold quick, $350,000.

Ethan paid debts, spent rest «nerve recovery.» Left homeless. Temporarily stayed distant relatives cramped two-bedroom, but not long.

Hosts hinted hospitality not endless. — What now? — Emily asked son. — Where live? — Don’t know.

— Ethan gloomy. — Maybe go David, explain? He’ll chase after all. Maybe pity? Family after all.

But no one guts go David help. Too many bridges burned, too many nasties said. Emily knew older son never forgive what she did.

Ended renting room shared house city outskirts. Room tiny, dark, trash view. Neighbors drank, noisy, fights.

But all could afford. Ethan fully drank. No job, girl left, no prospects.

Lay couch, drank cheap wine, complained life. Emily tried rouse, no luck. — Ethan, what you like vegetable, — she said.

— Need do something, find job. — What job? — he mumbled drunk. — Can’t anything, no one take.

Learn, everyone learned once. — Leave me, life over anyway. Better those people killed me.

Don’t say, all fix. — Won’t fix, we’re bottom, Mom, David top. Justice won.

Emily didn’t want admit son right, but knew he was. They bottom. David lived better better…

Business grew, opened own construction company, big orders. Son born, then daughter. Family thrived, house full child laughter joy.

David respected man city, newspapers wrote successful entrepreneur. Sometimes Emily saw him afar, store, street, cafe. Handsome, confident man with wife kids.

Looked happy, content. Each time eyes met, he pretended not recognize. First supermarket.

Emily queue cheap groceries, saw David next register full quality goods. Beside Olivia, year-old son in arms. «David!» couldn’t hold.

Son turned, looked indifferent, turned away like stranger. Olivia said something quiet, he shook head, continued pay. «David! It’s me! — louder called mother.

— Your mother!» Some shoppers turned, but David no head turn. Took bags, arm wife, went exit, no attention mother. Emily stood, cheeks burn shame…