“Your brother’s upstairs in his room practicing his speech for the regional board gala,” Margaret said without looking up from the pot.

“Daniel bought an eighteen-hundred-dollar custom tuxedo for the gala presentation,” Margaret went on.

“He needs the house equity money to cover the company’s administrative balance before Friday night.”

I put my briefcase down on the clean wooden counter beside the electric kettle.

“Mother, we have to talk about the house deed and Daniel’s business debts,” I said.

Margaret laid her wooden spoon on the spoon rest and turned around, her breath coming soft and short.

“Your brother has big business expenses right now, Emily, and you’ve got your army pay,” she said.