Lauren ordered another appetizer without asking anyone. My father chose the most expensive dessert on the menu. My mother requested a second bottle of wine and reminded Evan to place everything on one check.
Then she looked directly at me.
She wanted me to understand my role.
I was the wallet.
They were the family.
When Noah quietly mentioned his science-fair project, my father interrupted him to ask Chloe about her recital. Lauren spent ten minutes describing how Paige had pushed another child aside to stand in the front row.
“Natural leadership,” my father said proudly.
Noah lowered his eyes again.
Inside my pocket was the grade sheet from his water-cycle project. His teacher had written Excellent Work! across the top in blue ink.
Beside it were three sealed envelopes.
One for my parents.
One for Lauren.
One containing a list of every automatic payment scheduled to end at midnight.
I had prepared them after meeting with my accountant on Friday. I had almost left them in the car because part of me still hoped lunch would prove I was overreacting.
Then my mother took the juice.
By the time the plates were cleared, the total was $614.28.
Evan placed the leather bill folder near the center of the table.
My mother pushed it toward me without looking at the amount.
