My mother-in-law looked at my 38-week pregnant belly, told my husband, “Put a lock on both doors and let her give birth alone,” and then went off on a luxury trip to Aspen, paid for with my money. Seven days later, they returned tanned, smiling, and dragging suitcases full of shopping bags…

The notice stated that access was restricted by a legal order and that any attempt to enter the premises would be reported to the police. It listed the name of a prominent law firm and included a final line explaining that the former occupants had already been officially notified.

“Is this some kind of ridiculous joke that Audrey is playing on us to get back at us for the trip?” Skylar asked nervously. Beulah began to scream that I was insane and that I did not have the right to lock them out of their own home.

Justin was not listening to his mother anymore as he stared at the new security cameras that were tracking their every move on the porch. He finally understood that the door he had locked a week ago was a door that would never open for him again.

My phone began to ring as I sat in a rocking chair at Phoebe’s house with Hudson sleeping peacefully against my chest. I saw Justin’s name on the screen and I chose not to answer while listening to the rhythm of my son’s breathing.

He kept calling over and over again until Beulah finally decided to use her own phone to reach out to Phoebe’s number. I told Phoebe to put the call on speaker and we listened as Beulah’s voice came through with a frantic and demanding tone.

“Audrey, you open this door right this instant because we are standing outside like fools and our luggage is heavy!” Beulah screamed into the phone. I adjusted the baby and told her it was strange because I had been locked out of something important seven days ago as well.

A heavy silence followed my words before Justin took the phone and told me that we needed to stop this and talk like adults. I asked him if he meant the kind of adults who leave a woman in active labor locked inside a house so they can go shopping.

“I didn’t think it was actually happening, I thought you were just trying to stop us from leaving!” Justin shouted in a desperate attempt to justify his actions. I informed him that there were official records of the emergency calls and statements from the paramedics who found me on the floor.

Beulah tried a different tactic by softening her voice and reminding me that we were family and that I should think about the needs of the baby. I looked down at my son and told her that she was nothing but a financial burden and I was finally calling her by her real name.