The next morning, any plans I had for rampant debauchery were sidelined when my mother said, "Don't forget, we need to be at your grandparents' at four."
Looking up from my coffee, I asked, "What?"
Mom set down her toast. "It's been weeks since you've been to Sunday dinner, so you're coming today – no excuses."
"But I've got work. Also, I was going to go to Susan's to clean up their storage room-"
"Your shift ends at one, and Susan's junk can wait."
"Mom-"
"Ashley, I'm putting my foot down – you're going to see your grandparents." As she turned back to her breakfast, she muttered under her breath, "It's not like they're going to be around forever."
The modest single-story home wore a red brick façade with yellowing siding and a roof in need of repairs. It sat on a tiny patch of eart
