Chapter 1 - Ask the Man Supporting Me
David Miller stood behind me in our Austin kitchen while I chopped cilantro.
“I’m tired of supporting you.”
The knife continued tapping against the cutting board.
Around me, the marble island was covered with mortgage statements, utility bills, grocery receipts, insurance notices, a calculator, and my open laptop.
I did not look up.
“Perfect. Then we start separating everything tonight.”
David’s confident expression shifted.
“Separating everything?”
“You suggested it.”
“I meant our personal spending.”
I finally turned toward him.
“So did I.”
Before he could respond, the front door opened.
His mother, Victoria, entered carrying three empty plastic containers. David’s brother Ryan and his wife, Sarah, followed her.
Victoria looked toward the cold stove.
“Where’s Saturday dinner?”
I gestured toward the mountain of receipts.
“Ask the person who says he’s been supporting me.”
The room became silent.
David stared at the papers.
Victoria gave a short laugh.
“Surely you’re not turning family dinner into some financial argument.”
“No,” I said. “David did that when he claimed he was paying for my life.”
Ryan slowly lowered the empty containers.
David stepped toward the island.
“What exactly is all this?”
“The cost of the household you thought appeared by itself.”
I clicked one key on the laptop.
May you like
A spreadsheet filled the screen.
David’s face changed before he had read the first line.
