I learned to read every statement myself instead of handing the responsibility to someone just because he called it love.

My father never once said, “I told you so.” He fixed the damaged kitchen cabinet, replaced every lock, and filled the refrigerator before Ruby and I moved back home.

That first evening, the shelves held vegetables, chicken, yogurt, juice, fruit, cheese, and enough milk to last two weeks. Ruby opened the door and stared. “Are we rich now?”

I knelt beside her. “No, sweetheart.”

“Then why do we have so much food?”

“Because buying food comes before buying things we don’t need.” She thought about that for a long moment, then reached for an apple.