“You asked me to stay last year.”

“I know.”

“Did you know about the estate plan then?”

My father-in-law did not answer.

That was an answer.

Mark’s face changed.

“You did.”

His father rubbed his palms together.

“Your mother had strong feelings.”

“And you agreed.”

“We discussed it.”

“You agreed.”

A long pause.

“Yes.”

Mark looked away.

That hurt more than Patricia’s speech.

I could see it.

His father spoke carefully.

“We thought you were secure.”

“I am.”

“Susan’s family has had financial difficulties.”

“I know.”

“Rebecca has the mortgage and college costs.”

“I know.”

“We weren’t trying to punish you for being successful.”

Mark laughed quietly.

“But that’s exactly what you did.”

“It wasn’t punishment.”

“No. It was assumption.”

His father frowned.

“You assumed I didn’t need anything from you because I rarely asked.”

“That isn’t what we—”

“You assumed I’d stay because you needed me. You assumed Susan and Rebecca should inherit because they needed you.”

His father looked toward the floor.

“And somehow nobody noticed I was the only child being valued for what I could provide instead of what I might receive.”

No one had anything to say to that.

Finally my father-in-law asked, “Are you going to reconsider?”

Mark shook his head.

“The job starts Monday after next.”

“What about your mother?”

“What about her?”

“She doesn’t drive at night anymore.”

“Then she shouldn’t drive at night.”

“The gutters.”

“Hire someone.”

“The bathroom.”

“Hire someone.”

“The yard gets difficult in winter.”

“Hire someone.”

His father looked offended.

“That costs money.”

I almost laughed.

Five million dollars.

That was the absurdity no one wanted to name.

Mark named it.

“You have five million dollars.”

His father stared at him.

“You can afford help.”

“That money is for retirement and inheritance.”

“Then use part of it for retirement.”