At my son’s housewarming party, he raised his glass and declared, “My in-laws paid for this house.”

“To Richard and Elaine,” he announced, smiling at his wife’s parents. “My in-laws paid for this house. Claire and I wouldn’t be standing here without them.”

Applause filled the room.

My wife, Margaret, lowered her gaze to her untouched champagne. I felt her fingers tighten around my arm.

Three months earlier, I had transferred $180,000 into the closing continue reading …