“Barely.”
“Then order them. I’ll stay on the phone, and then I’m coming over,” Dawn said. “Until then, don’t clean or fold laundry. Take care of yourself and the girls.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I opened our joint account to make sure there was enough money for the order.
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The page loaded, and then I stopped.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Amy?” Summer asked.
I turned the phone toward her.
Brandon had taken $2,000 from our emergency savings.
The charges included the cabin rental, boat fees, and fuel.
Dawn’s voice changed.
“What are you looking at? What’s going on, honey?”
“The trip,” I said. “He paid for it from our emergency fund.”
The week before, Brandon had told me we couldn’t afford one afternoon of childcare.
“What’s going on, honey?”
“Save every transaction,” Dawn instructed.
I took screenshots.
“I’m on my way,” she added. “And Amy?”
“Yes?”
“Order the formula. The girls’ needs come first. Brandon can explain the money when he returns.”
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***
Dawn arrived that afternoon with food and an overnight bag.
She didn’t storm through the house or call Brandon.
I took screenshots.
She washed her hands, picked up Lila, and asked what I needed first.
***
Between Dawn and Summer, I slept for six hours.
When I woke, I made a list of what had to change, not everything Brandon had done wrong.
I called my doctor and contacted a counselor.
I saved the account records, the post, and our messages. I also spoke to someone about a temporary separation and how to protect our shared finances legally.
She washed her hands.
Finally, I wrote down the changes Brandon would have to make before I considered letting him come home.
Summer watched me close the notebook.
“What if he says no?”
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I looked toward the twins.
“Then I’ll know I’m the only one trying to save it.”
***
Later, Simon told me the trip had started falling apart because of one comment.
“What if he says no?”
Dawn had written beneath Brandon’s photograph:
“Who has Lila and Ivy? Does Amy have help?”
I answered before I could protect him again.
“Brandon went without us.”
Simon had shown the reply to Theo, then held his phone toward Brandon.
“You said Summer was staying with Amy.”
Brandon shrugged. “She is now.”
