My Parents Chose a Birthday Dinner Over My Family’s Funeral—Then They Asked for Thirty Percent of the $18.7 Million Settlement

In the kitchen, Ethan’s dark-blue mug stood beside the sink.

There was a chip near the handle and a dried ring of coffee at the bottom.

Margaret came the following morning and reached for it while helping with the dishes.

“Don’t,” I said.

She stopped immediately.

“I can wash it.”

“I know.”

I put a hand on her wrist, unable to explain why I could not bear the thought.