According to the proverb, you don’t really know someone unless they’ve spent some time at your house. I returned home after being gone for two weeks to find a house that I hardly knew, as well as a daughter-in-law named Sable who had placed herself in a very comfortable position.

The sinking sensation you get when you know something is amiss but you can’t put your finger on it? When I walked into my kitchen, it was the first thing that sprang to my mind. At our country property, Amos and I had enjoyed a peaceful getaway, unplugged from our phones and free of any tension. In the moments before we departed, we made a proposition to our son Theo and his wife, Sable.

I had instructed them to “make yourselves at home.” Take care of the home, that’s all for now.

I really regret having spoken such comments.

As if it had been staged for a magazine, the kitchen was excessively clean and devoid of any furniture. Are we going to leave it in this state? I questioned Amos.

He wore a frown. The wooden spoon crock is nowhere to be seen. “The block for knives?”

Panic began to set in. I ripped open the drawers and dumped my suitcase in the entryway of the building. It is empty. The cabinets? Unclothed. In fact, the rubbish drawer had been removed. After twenty years of Christmas cookies, every single pot, pan, and baking tray has been discarded. What about the ladle that belonged to my mother, the iron skillet that we used at our wedding, and the broken mixing bowl that I used on Sundays? obliterated, as if they had never been there.

I mumbled, “Sable,” as I rushed up to the upper floor.

When I arrived, she was lying on my bed, wearing my robe, and browsing through her phone as if she were the owner of the property. “Oh! ” She grinned and said, “You’re back early.”

“Where are all of my kitchen items?” I inquired with a tense tone.

The woman did not flinch. “I’m sorry, I threw it away.”

I blinked my eyes. What are you…?

“The item was worn out and scratched. To tell you the truth, it’s sort of disgusting. I was unable to prepare meals in the kitchen. Don’t be concerned; I’ve brought you a brand new nonstick pan. It has a pink hue.”

It’s pink.

Without any words, I looked.

Furthermore, she said, “You had a great deal of clutter.” You are going to be grateful to me.”

Disorganization? I mustered up a grin. “I am grateful… for the favor.”

In spite of this, I was already making plans in my thoughts. Was she looking for a spotless kitchen? Not in the way that she anticipated, but I would offer her a fresh start.

I prepared pancakes the next morning by myself. As she poked at them, Sable hardly noticed that she was looking up from her phone. The question that she posed was, “You didn’t use that old flour, right?” “I made the same mistake.”

My eye began to twitch. “Of course not, my dear,” I said with a kind tone. “I would not want to poison anyone,” she said.

She gave a little nod. It’s good.

They departed for brunch with their pals an hour later, reportedly because my pancakes were not “Instagrammable enough.” I made my move as soon as the door was closed with a click.

I decided to go to my bedroom. Almost like a beauty boutique, Sable’s vanity was filled with expensive small vials of serums, foundations, and highlighters, all of which promised to perform miracles. I took a garbage bag with a heavy-duty construction and packed each one with the same level of care as fragile glass. When I was done, the vanity was empty, with nothing more than a dusty ring in the spot where her favorite perfume had been standing.

I did not throw away the bag. It would be much too simple. In the attic, I concealed it by hiding it beneath old Christmas boxes and under the dust. Just right.

Sable made a daring entrance that evening. “Where are my belongings?!”

I was as calm as I could be when I glanced up from my book. What is it?

Everything, including my skincare and my cosmetics! It’s gone!” she yelled in a huff.

Then I smiled and replied, “Oh.” I had the impression that everything was simply clutter.

You went through my belongings, didn’t you? She became enraged. Have you lost your mind, Veda?

Do you mean the little jars? I said in a casual manner. They were making my vanity seem all cluttered. All of them had smudges. It seemed… unnecessary.”

Her jaw fell slightly. You tossed them out of the boat?

I gave a shrug. According to what you mentioned, it is not sanitary to maintain old things. Sable, you are aware of the fact that I despise clutter.

Suddenly, she let out a scream, “Those cost more than your entire kitchen!”

A “Oh?” My eyes narrowed as I leaned in closer. If that is the case, then maybe you should not have treated my kitchen like a donation bin at a charity shop.

She opened her lips, but then she shut it, unable to find the words to express herself. Yes, I was assisting! “What a shambles that kitchen was!”

My response was, “And I assisted you.” Your pink pan was mine to keep. Incredibly… Instagrammable…

The tension between us was palpable as we looked at one other. Fiercely pacing, with wild hair, and furious. Upon entering, Theo seemed to be trapped in the middle, as if he was feeling sorrow over everything.

“Wait, wait,” he shouted while raising his palms. What exactly is going on?

“Your mother threw away all of my belongings!” The Sable exploded. “Be it my makeup, my skincare, or anything else!”

In a calm and deliberate manner, I said, “I did not throw it out.” It was packed up by myself. You protected it. Not a single jar was thrown away.”

Her pupils became more constricted. The question is, “Why would you—”

It dawned on her then. Her shoulders sank and her jaw became more rigid. The kitchen is the topic of this discussion, isn’t it?

I cracked a grin. “That’s exactly right.”

This was the first time that she did not make a return. There is just quiet. She then gave me an envelope at a later time. She said in a strident manner, “I tallied everything that I threw out.” “Even the things that I considered to be worthless.”

I just nodded, grabbed it, and then went up to the attic to get her suitcase. Unused, every container of expensive cream that was purchased. When she accepted it, her hands began to shake.

“Oh,” I said, maintaining the same casual demeanor as before, “the next time we depart, I will ask my other son and his wife to house-sit.” They have a good understanding of how to treat a house with respect.

From that point on, Sable didn’t say much more. Although she was sitting on the sofa, she was holding her purse as if it were a lifeline. I received a look from Theo that was equal parts impressed and surprised.

I was astounded, he murmured. “You are not one to play around.”

I gave him a kind grin. I warned her, “Sweetheart, stay away from a woman’s kitchen at all costs.”