I explained the difference to Lucas as we sat by the front window.

He was silent, then asked the question I should have seen coming.

“If there’s money, does that mean Joanne was right to feed me all those years?”

“She didn’t need to prove you were worth feeding,” I said.

“You were worth feeding when you had nothing at all.”

He watched the rain run down the glass.

“I don’t know what to do when people tell me I deserve things.”

“You could start by believing your room is yours for as long as you want it.”