Not humor.
Disbelief.
“He played us against each other.”
June looked down at her hands.
“I don’t know if I would call it that.”
“What would you call it?”
June thought carefully.
“He told each of us the version that made it easiest to get what he wanted.”
Claire stared.
“That’s worse.”
“Probably.”
The two women sat with the uncomfortable fact.
Ethan, who hated conflict, had learned to manipulate it quietly.
Not with threats.
With omissions.
Mom offered.
Claire needs.
We decided.
They can’t afford it.
She wants to help.
Small edits.
Enough to move money.
Enough to keep peace.
Enough to keep himself from hearing no.
Claire rubbed her temples.
“I thought you were always inserting yourself.”
“And I thought you were always asking.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Not always.”
Claire met her eyes.
June added, “Sometimes.”
Claire smiled despite herself.
“Fair.”
June looked at her.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me you didn’t want the help?”
“Because by the time I realized how much he was asking, we’d already taken it.”
“That is still a choice.”
“I know.”
June watched her.
Claire’s eyes filled.
