He had a huge settlement sitting in a bank vault, paid out for my mother’s life.

He had spent my whole childhood telling me we were broke because my mother left us with nothing.

He caused the accident, tried to steal the money, and blamed her for leaving us poor.

I unlocked the driver’s door and climbed into the cold car.

I put the key in the ignition but didn’t turn it.

The metal key chain clinked against the plastic steering column.

I looked at my reflection in the rearview mirror.