Then the dental bills.
“He needed treatment, and Mom said they couldn’t afford it.”
Then the insurance.
“She told me they might lose coverage.”
I scrolled farther.
“Khloe needed rent because Tyler’s hours had been reduced. Then she needed another month because they were moving. Then another because they were saving for the baby.”
Daniel looked up.
“And the streaming subscriptions?”
I gave a tired laugh.
“Mom said everyone needed something enjoyable during stressful times.”
He shook his head.
I stared at the spreadsheet.
“I didn’t even realize I was paying for three different subscriptions until I started going through the statements.”
Daniel put the phone down.
“Have they ever offered to pay you back?”
“Dad once said he’d reimburse me for part of the dental treatment.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
“And Khloe?”
I shook my head.
“She told me family doesn’t keep score.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
I knew he wanted to say something harsh.
Instead, he asked, “Why did you keep paying?”
I looked toward the mirror.
My mascara had begun to smudge.
“Because every time I said no, Mom told me I was the only person capable of helping.”
He waited.
“And because when she called me her responsible daughter, it felt like she was finally proud of me.”
Daniel reached for my hand.
