“What about Saturday, Sadie?” he said.

“The dress appointment at Chloe’s shop,” Sadie said, her voice getting quieter.

“Last week you said you were going to chip in for the gown and the shoes.”

The line went totally quiet for three full seconds.

In the background Madison yelled something about her salon deposit, and a door inside Rory’s house clicked shut.

“Honey, I don’t have money for a prom dress this year,” Rory said, his voice dropping into a flat, rehearsed rhythm.

“Welding jobs have been few and far between since Christmas.”