I was grateful.

Pain can make a person say things that become permanent even after the pain changes.

Daniel replied through an email that began, “I can’t believe my own mother is threatening me with lawyers.” He said he had expected a supportive family, not a creditor, and accused me of humiliating him while his business was going through a difficult quarter.

I asked Helen whether that meant I had done something wrong.

She said a professional review of an actual promissory note was not a threat.