Family Landlords Raise the Rent to Force One Sister Out
I waited for my father to say something, to remind her that I had paid my rent on the first of every month without a single delay. He kept his eyes on the carpet, his shoulders curved inward as if trying to shrink away from the conversation.
“I need to go,” I said, turning back toward the hallway.
I walked out to the driveway, the gravel crunching under my shoes. My father followed me out a moment later, his steps slow and hesitant on the concrete path. He looked around the quiet suburban street as if checking to see if any of the neighbors were watching.
“Dad,” I said, turning to face him near my car. “You know Vanessa is taking advantage of this. You need to tell Mom to stop.”
Arthur stopped two feet away from me, his hand still buried in his coat pocket, holding his keys. His apologetic murmur was barely louder than the breeze in the pines.
“Your mother has her reasons, Lauren, and it is better for all of us if you do not push,” he said.
