About ten minutes later, she left the bedroom.
No one was in the kitchen.
Ms. Sterling was in the entryway putting on her jacket.
Darius was helping her zip it up.
“You’re leaving already, Ms. Sterling?” Kiana asked, leaning against the doorway.
Her mother‑in‑law turned around.
Her face was tight, unwelcoming.
“Yes, I have things to do. Thanks for the tea.”
“Thank you for the cream puffs,” Kiana replied politely.
Ms. Sterling nodded, adjusted her jacket, and headed for the door.
Right at the exit, she turned around.
“Kiki, think about what I said. Family is important. We have to help each other.”
Kiana looked her straight in the eye.
“Of course. I’ll be sure to think about it.”
The door closed.
Darius went back to the living room, turned on the TV, and sat on the couch.
Kiana followed him, picked up the dirty mugs from the coffee table, and carried them to the sink.
“Listen,” Darius started without turning his head, “Mom is really in a difficult spot. Maybe we should help her out after all. Just a little, like five thousand.”
Kiana washed the mug and placed it on the drying rack.
“Why does she need five thousand?”
He shrugged.
“To live on. To have some peace of mind.”
“Darius, your mother has Social Security and she has her condo. If she truly needs money, she can sell her condo like she said herself, or find a part‑time job.”
“At her age?”
