“My mother called me six times before breakfast,” Seth said, his face flushed red against the gray morning light.

“She told half the parish that you abandoned three kids for a raise.”

“Your mother believes what you told her,” I said.

“You made her think I volunteered and then backed out at the last minute.”

“I told her the truth!” Seth yelled, hitting the screen frame again with his open palm.

“You put fifty-two thousand dollars ahead of family!

You ruined my reputation in front of everyone I grew up with!”