His ears went red, and he stared down at the table, and I felt the specific helplessness of watching your child be shamed in public for a poverty you broke yourself trying to prevent.
Across the aisle, Lyle let a small smile touch the corner of his mouth.
He was not even looking at the judge.
He was looking at me, and the smile said what it had always said: I told you I would win.
My head began to drop.
I felt the two years crest over me at once — the messages, the evictions, the empty cupboards, the sold locket — and for one long second I believed him.
I believed I had lost.
And in that second, Rory’s small fingers slid out of mine.
Chapter 5 — Rory Stands Up
He slid off his chair before I understood what he was doing.