“I will not sign anything that makes me financially responsible for an apartment I cannot afford,” I said.
My mother exhaled.
“People will think that is selfish.”
“People are welcome to pay the lease themselves.”
She made a surprised sound.
Then, unexpectedly, she laughed.
Small.
Tired.
Real.
“Your father would have liked that answer.”
I froze.
She heard it.
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I did not mean to use him. I meant… he hated foolish paperwork.”
I sat down on the edge of my bed.
“I can help Elowen prepare documents,” I said. “I can help her practice for the meeting. I can write a character letter about the progress I have seen. I can babysit during the appointment if it does not conflict with school.”
“But you won’t sign.”
“No.”
A long pause.
Then Maura said, “I don’t like it.”
“I know.”
“But I understand it.”
