"A Visit from the Chief," by Samanta Schweblin
Briefly

Lidia frequents the Graziano Institute to monitor her mother's care while grappling with the void left by her daughter's move abroad. She has established a new home, replicating her daughter’s previous room, and manages her work-life balance between her job and personal challenges. Lidia reflects on the weight of living with a mortgage and feels disconnected from others in similar situations, revealing her deep sense of isolation amidst her sense of duty and the changes in her family dynamics.
Lidia often visited the Graziano Institute, finding solace in her routine of watching over her mother and managing the challenges brought by her daughter's departure.
Despite the distance from her daughter, Lidia created a sense of home in her new apartment, reflecting on her life's responsibilities and the weight of solitude.
Read at The New Yorker
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