"Leila, the family's already poured all its resources into me."
"Maya just graduated. She barely knows anyone."
"She came to you because she sees you as real family. How could you turn her down?"
I glanced up at him, then lowered my eyes back to the magazine in my hands.
"I didn't turn her down."
"I just asked her to sign an IOU."
"Is that really necessary?" Joel looked genuinely confused.
"If it's not necessary, then forget the whole thing."
Joel's mouth opened and closed. Nothing came out.
When he realized I wasn't budging, he raked a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I'm taking a shower," he muttered, and walked off.
He disappeared into the bathroom.
The next morning, at the breakfast table.
Maya's eyes were red and swollen. She'd obviously been crying all night.
Laurel held her bowl and looked at me like I was something stuck to the bottom of her shoe.
Drew Henson, on the other hand, was the same as always.
As if the tension in the room didn't exist. Eating, drinking, minding his own business.
Joel peeled a boiled egg for Maya like he was trying to make up for something.
"Maya, don't worry about the money. I talked it over with your sister-in-law last night."