Her voice softened, which is a thing my mother’s voice does right before it closes a door.

You offered to help us, Sarah, she said.

I know.

And we have counted on it.

That still doesn’t tell me whether you need five hundred and fifty dollars every Friday.

She began to talk about the guest list.

I listened for a while, the way you listen to weather, and then I said, Mom, I need an answer.

Your father says we are managing.