I told my daughter I couldn’t babysit over Memorial Day because I had cataract surgery scheduled, and she texted, “You’re choosing yourself over your grandkids.”

The bank interview forced Margaret to hear herself without the comfort of her good intentions. After Royce died, she told Wade to handle Caroline's paperwork because Caroline "got emotional about numbers." She signed a broad power of attorney and ignored Otis's advice to limit it. Whenever Caroline fell short, Margaret paid first, asked questions later, and stored the receipt in the green file. She never demanded repayment, but she recalled every amount during arguments. Help had become leverage. Two years prior, Caroline said, "Wade knows what I owe you better than I do." Margaret answered, "At least somebody does." She had mistaken humiliation for discipline and Wade's efficiency for character. That gave him no right to borrow in her name. It did explain why Caroline believed confession would bring another rescue followed by another invisible debt. Margaret closed the file. Royce's warning had been aimed at her too: remember the truth, especially when your version makes you generous.