It buzzed again.
Then Valerie.
Then David.
Then Mom again.
Keisha looked at the screen. “Family?”
“Always.”
“You know you’re allowed to not answer.”
That sounded beautiful. Also impossible.
I waited until Keisha left, then called my mother back.
She picked up on the first ring.
“Jessica, why are you ignoring me?”
“I’m at work.”
“You’re always at work. We need to talk about the Bahamas.”
My chest tightened. “What about it?”
“The resort has a minimum booking requirement, and Valerie is absolutely devastated.”
“I already paid for flights.”
“Yes, and that was generous, but the rooms need deposits.”
“No.”
The word came out before I could dress it up. No apology. No explanation. Just no.
Mom went quiet in the dangerous way she had, like a stove burner turning red.
“Excuse me?”
“I said no. I can’t keep doing this.”
“Doing what?”
“Funding everyone.”
“We are your family.”
“I know.”
“Your sister is getting married.”
“I know.”
“Do you want her to be humiliated?”
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