anic cafes, successful local spots. They always made sure I had what I needed

gh, working-class, out in some dusty part of Texas I'd only driven th

ng for me, Ash," he'd sa

a, his excuse fo

eet tea when I'd visit. She'd talk about Kevin

nstead, Kevin sat me down in our rented apartment, a place my parents helped us g

t. "Ash, Mom, and I, th

the coffee table. "Domes

he words jumped o

y Kevin "acquires." He even returne

my parents? "Joint assets,

ld is older, and we're

, strong hints that

last week, now had a look that could fre

" she said, her voice flat.

mom gave up everything to r

sn't smart. Th

kicked, a tiny flutter agains

e papers to Kevi

mbled, revealing something

deep, churnin

ck, a cold clarit

, a rich girl easily part

were