None of those things belonged comfortably beside the others.

Mark’s family business had been under pressure for more than a year.

I knew there were debts and disagreements about bills.

Eleanor had been trying to keep parts of the family finances moving, though I did not know every obligation she had taken on.

Rachel’s husband, Douglas, had money.

His willingness to provide open-ended support had changed after years of difficult circumstances in their marriage.

I had heard complaints from Rachel, but complaints were not an account statement.