This was my decision.”
For one fleeting second, I thought she might finally admit what she had done.
Then she looked directly at Daniel.
“You can afford another one.”
Daniel went still.
My father shut his eyes.
Aiden whispered, “Mom.”
She kept going.
“It was an expensive object sitting on the hand of someone who could not even use it.
Aiden had one chance to get in front of the right people.
Daniel has a good job.
He can replace it.”
The nurse who had rushed in when I woke was standing just outside the open door.
She had returned with my discharge papers, but she no longer moved.
My mother noticed her and changed her voice immediately.
“You understand what I mean,” she said softly.
“Families make sacrifices.
Emily has always been the practical one.”
I stared at her.
For years, she had called me practical whenever she wanted something from me.
Practical meant surrender your savings.
Practical meant lend your car.
Practical meant forgive before anyone apologized.
Practical meant you will survive the loss, so we have chosen you to suffer it.
“How much did you get?” I asked.
Mom’s lips pressed together.
Aiden looked at the intake record.
“Five thousand?” His voice rose.
“That ring was worth eighteen.”
My mother turned on him.
“That is not the point.”
“It’s absolutely the point.
You told me you cashed out an old investment.”
“I was trying to help you.”
“You pawned Emily’s engagement ring for five grand?”
“I said I was trying to help you.”
Her voice cracked across the room.
The heart monitor beside me accelerated, but I forced myself to breathe evenly.
Aiden looked sick.
“How much of it did we spend?” he asked.
My mother did not answer.
“Aiden,” I said, “how much?”
He swallowed.
“Almost all of it.”
My father finally stepped forward.
“Linda, tell them the rest.”
Mom turned slowly.
The hatred in her expression was not loud.
It was colder than that.
“What rest?” she asked.
My father’s shoulders sagged.
“The shop did not want to take it at first.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
“Because Linda did not have a receipt.
They asked why she was selling a ring that looked new.”
