I projected the screenshot from the family group onto the television. Her words appeared enormous on the screen: “She does need to learn that we won’t always rescue her.”
Paul lowered his gaze. Beatrice pretended to fix her necklace. Brandon got to his feet.
“You were spying on us?”
“No. You were talking in a group where my number was still there.”
My father drummed his fingers against the table.
“You invented a crisis to manipulate us.”
“I invented a small crisis. You revealed a very large truth.”
Then Ellen spoke for the first time.
“I gave her money.”
Everyone turned toward her. Aunt Marjorie gave a dry laugh.
“You don’t even have enough money to fix your car.”
“Exactly,” Ellen said. “And I still gave what I could.”
My mother placed one hand over her chest in a dramatic gesture. Mother-daughterjewelry
“Ellen, you shouldn’t have gotten involved.”
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