Evelyn paid the wages he had lost and covered the housing expenses caused by Margaret’s decision to dismiss him.
“Don’t treat it like charity,” I told her. “Ask him what he actually needs.”
Barry chose the apartment himself.
It had a small kitchen, a quiet bedroom, and a sunny window that Gypsy claimed on the first afternoon.
A week later, Evelyn came to our house alone.
She sat across from me at the same scratched kitchen table where I had once counted the money for Emma’s boots.
“I failed Frank long before Margaret began lying to me,” she said. “I owe both of you more than financial support.”
“Then understand something clearly,” I replied. “Emma does not need to be rescued.”
Evelyn nodded.
“There will be no expensive gifts without asking me first. No private promises. No using money to gain access to her.”
“You establish the rules,” she said. “I will follow them.”
