“That’s the only honest answer I have.”
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“For you, Ma.”
“Thank you, sweetie.”
The grandkids came in a wave of height, phones, and awkward smiles. Paige snapped a selfie before asking how I was. Max nodded like we were neighbors.
Nara and Willow whispered near the stairs. Josiah and Joanna hid behind Carla like they were afraid of me.
Then Lily stepped forward and hugged me like she meant it.
“Happy late birthday, Grandma,” she whispered.
My throat tightened. “Thank you, my darling girl.”
Max nodded like we were neighbors.
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For one hour, I let myself believe the house was full because they missed me.
Then Denise set down her fork. She had always been good at sounding concerned when she was really taking charge.
“Mom, have you talked to a financial advisor about the money?”
“And there it is,” I said.
She blinked. “What?”
“Nothing. And yes, of course, I have.”
Benjamin leaned back. “Good. People will always try to take advantage of you.”
“People do that, sweetie?”
He missed the point completely. “Absolutely.”
“Mom, have you talked to a financial advisor?”
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Carla touched my wrist. “And you should think about family first, Mommy. College is expensive now. Houses are almost impossible to maintain. Medical bills, too.”
Paige perked up. “My friend’s grandma paid off her car.”
“Oh, how nice for her,” I said.
Ben gave me his soft smile, the one I never quite knew how to say no to. “No one’s asking for anything tonight, Ma.”
“No?”
“Of course not,” Denise said, though she looked disappointed I hadn’t offered.
I stood to clear the plates, and my left knee caught. Lily jumped in.
“My friend’s grandma paid off her car.”
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“I’ll help, Gran.”
“No, sit, baby,” Denise said quickly. “Grandma has it. And the water here isn’t good. I don’t want you to dry out your hands.”
Lily froze.
***
After dinner, I carried plates into the kitchen and reached for the lemon bars. From the dining room, I heard Denise’s voice slipping through the cracked door.
“Don’t push her too hard tonight,” Denise said. “She’s sentimental. Let her enjoy this, then we talk numbers.”
Benjamin snorted. “At her age, what is she going to do with all that money anyway?”
“I’ll help, Gran.”
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Carla hissed, “Ben. Stop!”
“What? I’m being practical.”
My hand stayed on the knife. The lemon bars sat there, neat and sweet, while my children divided a future they hadn’t bothered to visit.
I set the knife down.
Then I folded the dish towel beside me.
Once. Twice.
By the third fold, I knew exactly what I was going to do.
I set the knife down.
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***
The following week, I rented the banquet room behind Rosebud Diner. Kelly helped me set the tables while Marlene placed flowers from church near the door.
“Debbie,” Kelly said, eyeing the envelopes. “Are these checks?”
“No, honey. They’re receipts.”
Marlene stopped arranging roses. “Are you sure you want witnesses?”
“I spent ten years being hurt in private,” I said. “Tonight, I’m telling the truth in public.”
Amy, the local reporter, arrived with her camera. “Will your family be here?”
