“I guess some old habits never die when money’s tight.”

Sarah held the glass water pitcher over Mark’s tumbler with perfectly steady hands, but her lips pressed into a thin white line.

“The butter’s fine,” Lily said quietly.

Vanessa stopped with her fork halfway to her mouth and narrowed her eyes at Lily across the wooden table.

“What was that you said to me?” Vanessa asked.

“I said the food’s fine,” Lily repeated, looking her mother square in the eyes.

Vanessa put her fork down with a sharp metal clink on the china plate.