“The insurance company denied the last part,” Caleb went on, the words spilling out of him now that they had finally begun.

“Dad’s last stay, in the ICU.

They said they wouldn’t pay for it.

And the letters said if we didn’t pay, they’d put a lien on the house, and then they’d take it.

You didn’t know I saw them.

But I did.”

He looked up at me, and his young face was streaked and desperate.

“You were crying, Mom,” he said.