“I’m not angry.”
Her voice stayed calm.
“I’m disappointed in what I helped you become.”
He looked away.
“Claire did not ask me to do this,” Barbara added. “I finally realized how often I protected you from the consequences of your choices.”
She turned toward the car.
“We’re finished here.”
Eric followed us.
“Mom, wait.”
Barbara opened my door.
“No. I waited thirty-four years for you to grow up.”
Then we drove away.
On the way home, Barbara stopped at the pharmacy.
She went inside and paid for Chloe’s medicine and supplies without making a speech about it.
I sat in the passenger seat afterward with the bag on my lap.
Eric had told me to ask someone else.
Barbara had never even heard the exact words he used.
Somehow, that made her help feel heavier.
“I’ll pay you back,” I said.
“Yes,” she answered.
