I had begun to answer automatically, then realized she didn’t need the adult budget made into another measure of what she cost us.

“The arrangements are my responsibility,” I said.

“You haven’t made a bill by telling me what happened.”

Rebecca pulled out the chair beside mine.

“You saved for ordinary family plans,” she told me quietly.

“Keeping her safe is a plan that matters.”

I signed.

Emily asked whether she could still have a birthday.