I raised him.

He married you to serve this house, and you’d lecture me over a few dollars?” She went on — my parents, my job, everything — and I sat still and watched her perform, and something in me that had held for five years quietly let go.

“The silk you’re wearing, the trip to Cabo for your whole family last month,” I said, when she paused for breath.

“You know where the money goes.

You’ll have it next month.

That’s the last time I’ll say it.”