Madeline said she was afraid Naomi would feel uncomfortable living and strongly insisted on putting Naomi's name on the property deed.
I must have been out of my mind, thinking that family shouldn't fuss over such things, so I agreed.
I quietly calculated the time and, fortunately, we hadn't sold our house to buy a new one yet. We were just renting together with them.
Speaking of the new house, Madeline fell silent.
Naomi said righteously, "Isn't that a special education institution? What's the big deal about having one more problem child?"
I played dumb. "It's not a problem as long as you pay. You'll be our most valued customer! I can even give you a friends and family discount."
Naomi's face darkened, and she asked stiffly, "How much will it cost?"
"Not much, not much. Thirteen thousand a month!"
She blurted out, "Are you crazy? I'm using you because it's free!"
I shrugged. "Well, there's nothing I can do then."
Naomi, seeing that things were turning ugly, simply sat at the door. "I don't care. I can't take care of him. If you make me, I'll die!"
Madeline cried in distress. "What a sin! We're all women, Zoey, why can't you be more understanding of your sister?"