I don’t like cats. At least I didn’t. I particularly hated the fluffy white one my fiancé had bought me as an engagement gift. He knew I didn’t like cats, but somehow he thought buying me one would change that. It didn’t change anything, yet when I walked out of our shared apartment for the last time, Fluffy was securely in his carrier ready for the trip to his new home. Steve offered to keep him, a quasi-attempt at a peace offering, but Steve couldn’t have Fluffy. Hate the cat or not, he was mine.

“What is that?” Mom asked as I barged through the doorway of my childhood home. I say barged, because she hadn’t exactly opened the door for me. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t tell your parents you’re moving back in. But how do you do that anyway? When you’re twenty-seven years-old, how do you tell your parents you’ve quit your job, broken off your engagement, and oh yeah, plan to sleep in your old bedroom for a while?

“That’s Fluffy. You two have met before.”

“Yes.” She peered into the front of his carrier. “I suppose I should have said what is he doing in my house? And while you’re at it, care to tell me what you’re doing here? Not that it isn’t a wonderful surprise to see you.” She brushed a few strands of her caramel brown hair behind her ear.

“Yeah… about that.” I wished I were one of those people who could come up with creative and hilarious ice breakers for moments like this, but I wasn’t. “I might as well level with you.”

“Level with me?” She crossed her arms in a very un-mom like gesture.

“I’m unemployed, single, and homeless. I thought I’d stay with you guys for a while.” I walked around her while carrying Fluffy and rolling one large duffle. I’d have to go back out later to get the rest of my stuff from my old Camry.

“Stop.”

“What?” I turned back feigning innocence. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”

“There’s plenty I want to talk about, but that’s not why I stopped you.”

“You’re not going to let me stay?” In all of my planning—meaning the twenty minutes I’d put into the plan—I’d never considered my parents saying no.

“Of course you can stay for a few days while you figure things out with Steve, but that’s not the problem.”

“What’s the problem then?” I decided not to explain that I planned to stay more than a few days, and there was absolutely nothing to figure out with Steve.

“You can’t stay in your old room.”

“Why not?” I set Fluffy down. He meowed in protest, but he was going to have to deal.

“Because we turned your bedroom into my yoga and Pilates room.”

“What?” The handle to my duffel fell onto the hardwood floor. “Where’s all my stuff then?”

“In the basement.” Mom gestured to the bright white door. “We set up your bed down there too.”

“In the basement? You threw all my stuff in the basement?”

“Don’t get so bent out of shape. It’s partially finished down there now.”

“Partially finished?” I raised an eyebrow. That was news.

“Your brother has been working on it.”

“Nile is finishing the basement?” I didn’t bother to hide my surprise. “Since when does he, uh, finish things?”

“He finishes plenty.”

“I mean build things. Whatever.” My brother had never built anything in his life as far as I knew.

“He’s been helping out Clay. He’s a contractor now, you know.”

“Clay is? Oh.” The last time I’d seen my brother’s best friend he was getting high in the backyard. Now he was a contractor? It’s funny how much people can change.

“Don’t you go getting all judgmental. You have plenty to explain yourself.”

“And I will. I’ll explain everything, but we’ve had a long trip.”

“We?” Mom narrowed her eyes.

“Yeah. Me and Fluffy.”

“You hate that cat.”

“Oh well.” I picked up his carrier and my bag. “Mind getting the basement door for me?”

Mom sighed. “What’s going on, hun?”

“I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s not even seven o’clock. Your father is still at work.”

“Which is why I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I might as well tell both of you at once.”

“Are you sure?” Real concern crossed her face, and for a moment I considered spilling it all out to her, but I didn’t.

“I’m sure. Thanks for letting me stay.”

She held open the door for me. “At least let me get you a snack or something to drink.”

“I’ll take a glass of whatever wine you guys have open.”

“I didn’t mean that kind of drink.”

“I’m allowed to drink alcohol, Mom.” I gritted my teeth.

“I know, but it usually isn’t a good idea to drink when you’re distressed.”

“Actually, that’s when it’s the best idea.”

“Cassidy, I’m your mother. I know what’s best for you.”

“I know.” I kissed her on the cheek while awkwardly balancing the cat carrier and my bag. “See you tomorrow.” I started down the stairs.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not going to do something stupid?” She followed me down.

“I’m not going to kill myself, Mom. Is that what you’re worried about?”

“It seems to happen more with your generation.”

“I’m making some life changes, not ending mine.”

“Good. You’ll tell me if you ever have thoughts like that?” She picked at her perfectly manicured nails in the way she only did when I made her nervous.

“We had this conversation when I was fifteen, you know.”

“I know.” She opened her mouth like she was going to say more, but she closed it. “Whatever decisions you’ve made, you can always fix them.”

“There’s nothing to fix. Goodnight.” I continued through the basement in search of the semi-finished area she’d talked about. It turned out semi-finished meant exactly that, part of the basement had been finished with no clear stopping point. There was no door, just my old twin bed and matching furniture sitting there with boxes all around it. At least there was a new bathroom a few feet away.

“You’re welcome to sleep in Nile’s room if you prefer.” Mom followed behind me.

“You’re only offering that now?”

“You seemed intent on seeing your stuff. Besides, this is the best place for Fluffy.”

“You want me to leave the cat alone in the basement?”

“Yes.” Mom didn’t mince words.

“Maybe tomorrow night.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

She turned and headed back up the stairs.

I waited until I heard the door close before setting up Fluffy’s portable litter and opening his carrier.

I flopped down on the bed. “Is this really what my life has come to? Sleeping in the basement of my parents’ house?”

As if in answer Fluffy meowed.

“At least we have each other, Fluff.” He ran off to the other side of the room. “Great. Thanks for the pep talk.”