“He said you were tired of working full time.”

“I never said that,” I said.

“I never even thought it.”

Maddie looked up from the carpet, holding her purple flower drawing by the edge.

“Aunt Natalie, look at my flower.”

“It’s beautiful, Maddie,” I said, crouching down for a second to touch the corner of the paper before standing back up.

“He told me daycare was taken care of,” Heather said, her voice rising anxiously.

“I canceled our spot two weeks ago because he promised me you were ready.”