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Vanessa jumped up.
“Mom? What are you doing here?”
“Ethan invited me. He thought it was time our families met.”
“Is something wrong?”
Ethan pulled out a chair. “Please sit down.” Vanessa immediately objected.
“Our relationship is private.”
“I know,” Ethan said. “I’ve tried discussing this privately.”
His fingers shook slightly.
“Today, I need everyone to hear the same thing.”
He spread the paper across the table. Two neatly written words headed the page: “MEALS OWED.” Beneath them were individual charges:
“Monday dinner — $15.”
“Tuesday breakfast — $8.”
“Tuesday dinner — $15.”
“Wednesday dinner — $15.”
Further down, old payments had been crossed through while additional charges accumulated. The final line declared: “TOTAL OUTSTANDING: $140.”
Margaret examined the document, visibly confused.
“Vanessa, what is this?”
“A record of what Ethan owes me.”
“For cooking?”
“Yes. And before you judge me, cooking takes time.”
Margaret acknowledged that point.
“Of course it does.”
