AFTER MONTHS OF MY DAUGHTER “HELPING” WITH MY BILLS, HIDING MY BANK STATEMENTS, TAKING MY DEBIT CARD

had insisted on placing where no birds ever used it.

“I moved my money,” I said.

Her voice dropped lower. “That affects me.”

I closed my eyes.

“It shouldn’t.”

She didn’t answer. The line went dead without goodbye.

I made tea after that and forgot about it on the counter until it had gone cold. I poured it out, rinsed the mug, and made another. I moved through continue reading …