“Emma, listen to me. You have done nothing wrong. You are growing a human being in a body that hurts, and he put you in a car in August heat. Tonight, you stand behind me. I talk. Then you sleep in your own bed. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When we reached the apartment, Dana knocked three sharp times.
Ryan opened the door with a sleepy expression, but his face changed when he saw his mother beside me.
“Mom?”
Dana held out the package.
“A little surprise.”
He carried it inside and tore off the paper. Inside was a folded camping cot.
Ryan stared.
“Mom, what the hell?”
“Starting tonight,” Dana said calmly, “you sleep on this in the hallway. Emma sleeps in the bed.”
“You can’t do this!”
“Oh, I can.” Dana’s voice stayed even. “Tell your wife who really pays the rent, Ryan.”
His face went pale.
Dana turned to me gently.
