Chapter 1

Carol adjusted her glasses, looking at the calendar.

Their 50th wedding anniversary was just weeks away.

Fifty years with Frank.

He was a good man, her Frank, a retired battalion chief from the local fire department.

Steadfast, supportive.

She, a retired high school principal, felt a quiet pride in their life in this comfortable Connecticut suburb.

Their pension and savings meant they were secure.

They didn't need much, valued respect and genuine affection more than things.

But Carol was no pushover.

Their only son, Michael, or Mike as everyone called him, was in his late thirties.

He had a business degree but seemed to drift, easily swayed, especially by his wife, Tiffany.

Tiffany managed a cosmetics counter at a department store.

She was all about image, materialistic, and Carol sensed Tiffany felt entitled to their money.

Tiffany came from a working-class family, a less affluent part of the state, with siblings Carol found irresponsible.

They had Chloe, Mike and Tiffany's eight-year-old daughter. Carol adored Chloe.

A few days ago, Mike had called, excited.

"Mom, Dad, I've got an early anniversary surprise for you!"

He'd arrived later with a massive box.

A state-of-the-art smart refrigerator.

"From me and Tiffany," he announced, beaming.

Carol was genuinely touched. It was an extravagant gesture.

"Oh, Michael, it's wonderful," she'd said, Frank nodding in agreement, equally surprised.

It seemed so unlike Mike to organize something this big, or Tiffany to approve of a gift for them that wasn't, in some way, for her.

But Carol pushed the thought away.

She hugged Mike. "Thank you, son."

Later that day, feeling the warmth of his gesture, Carol remembered Chloe's expensive gymnastics camp.

Mike had mentioned it was a stretch for them.

She wrote a check for $1,000.

"This is towards Chloe's camp, Mike," she said, handing it to him. "We want her to have these opportunities."

Mike looked relieved. "Thanks, Mom. That helps a lot."

He took the check, a quick hug, and left.

Carol watched him go, a familiar mix of love and a faint, unshakeable worry in her heart.

The new fridge hummed in the kitchen, a sleek, modern giant.

It felt a little too much, but the thought behind it, she believed, was good.