My mother didn’t contradict him.

She picked up her small silver spoon and stirred her cold tea.

“You had the money for his fraternity trip,” I said.

“A son’s professional network matters,” Eleanor said, her voice dropping into a hard, flat tone.

“The government was already taking care of you.”

“I see,” I said.

“Don’t take that tone with me,” she said.

“We made choices based on where the need was greatest.”