Dad passed out again shortly thereafter, forcing Mom to use her magic to carry him up to her bedroom. Erica hovered nearby, as if unsure whether to leave or stay and I didn't have the will to tell her either way.
We all gathered in Mom's room. No matter how long Dad lived with us, I always thought of it as hers. The black satin comforter, the scent of lilacs permeating everything, the subtle touches all came together, alerting anyone who crossed the threshold a woman lived here, a woman of power.