MY MOTHER-IN-LAW BLOCKED THE DOORWAY OF MY NEW APARTMENT AND SCREAMED THAT HER SON HAD BOUGHT IT FOR HER, ORDERING ME TO LEAVE. SHE CALLED ME TRASH—SO I TOOK THE TRASH OUT.

« I’ll own this place by the end of the week! »

« My son will destroy you! »

The elevator doors closed.

Silence.

Beautiful silence.

I stood alone in my apartment.

My apartment.

For the first time in weeks, I could actually breathe.