Elise couldn't adjust to boarding life, so Caroline moved in near the school with Vincent to keep her company.

Another IOU. She needed me to pay for the apartment.

Then came study materials. Field trips. One-on-one tutoring sessions. Gifts for the teachers.

The IOUs piled higher and higher in my drawer.

In the ledger, Godfrey's signatures multiplied.

At the end of the second year, I settled the books again.

Godfrey's restaurant tabs: $34,650.

Caroline's household allowance: $60,000.

Vincent's physical therapy: $30,000.

Elise's tuition, tutoring, and rent: $32,800.

The third year, Godfrey got a girlfriend.

Caroline came back over summer break and called a family meeting. Her eyes settled on me.

"Godfrey's at the age where he should be settling down. His girlfriend's family wants them to buy a place first. The apartment's not expensive. The down payment is only two hundred thousand." She paused. "I really can't come up with that kind of money. Is there any way you could help out?"

"Don't worry. Once Godfrey's on his feet financially, he'll pay you back."

No IOU this time.

I thought about what I needed to say next, digging my nails into my palms, but the stress response hit me anyway.

My body shook uncontrollably. My breathing came faster and faster.

I grabbed my bag and stumbled into the bathroom, turning on the faucet. With trembling hands, I splashed ice-cold water on my face and swallowed a Buspirone.

The face in the mirror was ashen, gaunt, trembling in a way I couldn't stop.

Twenty-seven years old, with the face of a forty-year-old woman.

Once I'd calmed down enough, I walked back out.

I looked at their expectant faces and said:

"I can't come up with two hundred thousand dollars either."

Caroline stared at me, disappointment hardening into anger, her voice rising without pretense:

"The restaurant's doing so well. How can you not come up with two hundred thousand?"

"You just don't want to help Godfrey, is that it?"

I shook my head, stung.

"The restaurant barely covers our family's expenses."

She didn't believe me. She went back to her favorite weapon—Vincent's injury.

"Vincent gave up his legs for you. He'll never walk again. Godfrey is his only brother. You can't even do this one thing? How can you face Vincent?!"

Then the tears came:

"If Godfrey can't find a wife, if the Matthews name dies with this generation, that's on YOU!"