“Mom, you’re talking like I’m going far away,” I teased her, hugging her tightly. “Of course. I’ll take you to fancy restaurants and beautiful places. Remember what I always tell you? We’ll do everything we can’t do now because we don’t have money.”

Because of that.

“Anyway, where is he?” I added to ask, remembering Randall. “Are you sure he’s at work, Mom? He might be out womanizing.”

Instead of answering, Mom showed me her phone. Dad had updated her, saying ...