“With the kids getting older, the household costs have doubled.”

“I pay my own utility bills straight out of my personal checking account,” I said.

“That was fine back when Mom was alive,” Brandon said, tapping the notepad with his thumb.

“But now the expenses on the main house land entirely on us.”

He pushed the yellow pad across the dark oak table toward me.

At the top, in blue ballpoint ink, was one number: fifteen hundred dollars.

“Beginning November first, we need fifteen hundred dollars a month for you to live here in the guest house,” Brandon said.