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