My phone had skidded across the ground when I fell. Mom snatched it up before I could reach it.
"At a time like this, you're thinking about work? About money?" She glared at me, trembling with indignation. "Is money more important than your life?!"
She held my phone out of reach and ended the call.
My voice cracked, raw and ragged.
"Because I'm *drowning* in debt! Because my parents would rather throw a lavish banquet for a stranger than lend their own daughter a single cent!"
The words ripped out of me, each one a blade. "What choice do I have except working myself to death?" I thrust my hand out, palm up. "Give me the phone."
The outburst stunned Mom into silence. Aunt Lucy fumbled, snatching the phone from Mom's frozen grip and shoving it into my hand.
I dialed back immediately.
A brief, humiliating explanation. Then I hung up and planted my feet, waiting.
The woman on the electric scooter glanced between us—me, rigid with fury; Mom, pale and mute. She read the room. Without a word, she transferred me a thousand dollars and patted my shoulder. One pitying look at Mom, and she drove away.
Nothing needed to be said.
The silence said everything.
Mom's face burned crimson. Shame. *Finally.*