“Every bit of the ninety-four thousand dollars will be paid back out of Dean’s share of the timber lot sale,” I said.

“And what about his bank pension?”

“I told his lawyer to leave the pension alone,” I said.

“I don’t have any wish to take his retirement money.”

Sophie stopped sweeping and leaned on the broom handle.

“He didn’t show you any mercy when he froze your checking account, Mom.”

“Mercy isn’t something you trade back and forth like money,” I said.

“I want my house and our family name back, but I don’t want his monthly pension checks reminding me of what he did.”