My family chuckled as I made a home in a truck, but now I stand alone in my own house. They showed up, uninvited. “It’s ideal… for your brother’s family!” One call was all it took to shake them to their core….

My father stood in the kitchen looking around like he was already rearranging the cabinets. I didn’t say much, just followed them from room to room heart pounding mouth dry. It was like watching a slow invasion.

When they finally left, Julian lingered by the doorhand on the frame. Let’s talk soon, he said. I’ve got something I think you’ll want to hear.

Julian came by the next afternoon alone this time with a to-go cup in his hand and that casual confidence he’d always worn like a jacket. He didn’t knock, just tapped once and let himself in like it was still our childhood home and I was just borrowing the space. I’ve been thinking he started settling into my kitchen chair like it belonged to him.

This place makes sense for us. Closer to my job, better school district, you’ve got the extra rooms. He took a sip and smiled like he’d just offered me a winning lottery ticket.

Mira’s pregnant again by the way. So yeah, we could really use the space. I stared at him waiting for the punchline.

It didn’t come. You’d still be here obviously, he continued waving his hand like this had all been pre-approved. But we’d need the master for the baby.

You could take the smaller room or honestly just move back into the camper for now. You were comfortable in there before, right? I didn’t say anything. He leaned back tapping his fingers on the table.

There’d have to be some structure of course. Quiet hours, no guests without clearing it with us. We’d split groceries but Mira cooks so that’s a win for you.

That was when something in me snapped not violently, not theatrically, but like a wire pulled too tight for too long. I stood palms flat on the table and looked my brother in the face. No, I said.

He blinked confused. What do you mean no? I mean you’re not moving in. You’re not rearranging my house.

You’re not making rules and I’m not sleeping in a camper so you and Mira can play house in something you didn’t earn. His smile faltered. Celeste be reasonable.

I’ve been reasonable my whole life. I was reasonable when mom let you lie about breaking my wrist. I was reasonable when you borrowed my college fund for a business idea.

I was even reasonable when you all left me living behind a warehouse and didn’t care enough to ask where I was. He opened his mouth to say something else but I didn’t let him. This is my house.

Mine. You don’t get to come in and take it. Julian left without finishing his coffee and for the first time in years the silence that followed felt like something I had chosen…