One of those roads leaves you some dignity. Choose fast.”

I turned to Melissa. “You know what an eviction feels like. You told Derek about the landlord putting your mattress on the curb when you were twelve. I’m offering you the one thing that landlord never offered your mother — the chance to walk out with your dignity.

Take it.”

Her face twisted, but she looked away first.

Derek dropped back into his chair and put his face in his hands, and started to cry. “I lost the company, Iris. Then the house. I couldn’t be the man who lost everything twice.

Running this place was the only thing that made me feel like I was still winning.”