You get her back in that kitchen — a woman can make all the money she wants out in the world, but at home she serves her husband.”

Dashiell stood too, tugging his shirt straight, putting on the face he used when he’d decided to be the authority in the room.

“Don’t make a scene.

Apologize to my mother and turn the stove back on.”

I didn’t argue with either of them, because there was nothing left in me that wanted to.

Instead I took out my phone and called the company that managed the property — the account, the utilities, the access, all of it ran through my business, though neither of them had ever thought to ask why.