“She can afford an apartment downtown.”

Evelyn turned off the tap, and the room went suddenly quiet except for the drip of the faucet.

She reached up and straightened her pearl necklace once more before she turned around to face me.

“Chloe is fragile, Leah,” Evelyn said, her voice high and soft.

“You’ve always been the strong one.

The army paid for your degree and your living costs.”

“The army didn’t buy 412 Maple Street,” I said.