She glanced toward Lucy.
“We’ve had more appointments lately. Therapy, specialists, transportation. None of it seems huge by itself, but it all adds up.”
I understood.
Later that evening, Noah asked why Lucy wasn’t having what he called a “real birthday party.”
I tried to explain without making Hannah’s situation sound sad.
“Her mom has some important things she needs to spend money on right now.”
Noah frowned.
“Things for Lucy?”
“Yes.”
“Like helping her learn things?”
“Exactly.”
He looked toward the house next door for a long time.
Then he nodded.
I should have recognized that look.
Noah had already made a decision.
I just didn’t know it yet.
Over the next three weeks, my son became strangely careful with money.
One afternoon, I offered him five dollars to grab something after school.
Normally, Noah considers after-school snacks a basic human right.
Instead, he pushed the money back toward me.
