I thought I was surprising my parents for Easter with flowers and chocolate. Instead, I found them living in their garage—
kicked out of their own house by my sister, Cassandra.I’d always believed my mom’s daily “We’re fine, honey” check-ins. But
when I showed up unannounced, the house felt like a stranger’s—cold, modern, empty of love. And then I heard Cassandra’s voice inside,
laughing with her boyfriend like they owned the place.I found my parents in the garage—my dad fixing a cabinet, my mom
bundled in a coat, surviving with a camping stove and folding chairs. They insisted it was “temporary.” But I knew better.I got
them out that night, into a warm hotel room. Then I got to work.I’m a contracts manager. I found the house deed—still in my
parents’ names. Cassandra?