She still did not know he had lost his job.
Fourteen people crowded around the table.
Beside my plate sat an unsealed card with Ethan’s name on it, waiting for the check I had never promised.
Before dinner began, Mark tapped his glass with a spoon.
He praised Ethan for attending college.
Then he turned toward me.
“And I want to recognize Morgan. She may act tough, but she understands that family comes first. Tonight, she’s paying Ethan’s entire spring bill.”
The table erupted in applause.
Aunt Linda raised her phone.
My mother beamed.
Ethan lowered his eyes.
