“Why didn’t you give me the list?”
She shrugged.
“I thought we could use stuff we already have.”
“We can check. But if you need something new, we’ll get it.”
She hesitated.
“Does it cost a lot?”
“Not really. Why?”
“Because you’re working so much.”
I put down the measuring tape I’d been holding.
“Emma, come sit with me.”
She sat at the table, rubbing a thumb along the seam of her backpack.
“Did someone tell you we couldn’t afford your school supplies?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then what made you worry?”
She explained that Zach had been asking questions during her visits.
Did we have enough groceries? Was I paying the bills? Did she have everything she needed?
At first, she’d answered without thinking much about it.
Then he’d started commenting that things were easier at his house because he didn’t have to worry about money.
“He said you have to work really hard because you didn’t plan very well.”
