Officer Grant turned to me. “Did you give permission for your sister, her husband, or his parents to live here?”
“No.”
“Did you give permission for your belongings to be moved?”
“No.”
“Did you give permission for your sister to represent herself as owner of the property?”
“No.”
Melissa’s face had gone blotchy. “This is insane. Amanda, tell them. Tell them Mom said it was okay.”
I tilted my head. “Mom also told me to move out.”
Officer Ruiz paused mid-note and looked up.
Derek whispered, “She what?”
Melissa shot him a warning glare, but he was no longer looking at her the same way. Something in him had shifted, and I could see the first cracks of doubt widening into a canyon.
My mother pressed her hands together. “Officer, this is between my daughters. Amanda has always been independent. Melissa has had a harder life. I thought Amanda would understand.”
“Understand what?” Officer Grant asked.
“That family helps family.”
Officer Grant’s expression did not change. “Helping is voluntary. Moving into someone’s home without permission is not.”
For the first time all afternoon, my mother had no answer.
The officers asked everyone inside to gather only essential personal belongings. They made it clear that no one had permission to remain in the house if I wanted them gone. Melissa argued. Carol cried. Martin muttered about lawyers. Derek went quiet and began carrying boxes out himself.
I stood by the front door while strangers filed through my home under police supervision.
Every time someone emerged with another box, I saw new evidence of invasion.
