Daniel lowered the laptop lid half an inch and laid his hands flat on his thighs.

“She needed decent winter clothes,” he said, sliding his tone into gentle concern.

“Heavy wool sweaters and thick boots for the freeze that’s coming.”

“We agreed that any personal purchase over a hundred dollars gets talked over first,” I said.

“You were downtown eating steak while my mother was trying to stay warm,” Daniel said.

“Our electric bill came to four hundred twelve dollars last week,” I said, looking him right in the face.

“You got a promotion bonus this quarter,” Daniel said, standing and smoothing down his front pockets.