Mom lowered her fork.
“Who was this girl, Lucas? Why risk everything for her?”
I described Alicia, but mentioning her age changed their expressions.
“Eighteen!?” Dad shouted. “Why would you marry an eighteen-year-old patient?”
Mom covered her mouth.
I explained her prognosis, her wish, and the absence of romance.
Dad waited until I finished.
“But why did you say yes?”
“Don’t make it sound weird. It wasn’t like that.”
“That doesn’t answer the question,” Mom said.
“I’m asking why you married her.”
I stared at my plate.
“Because there wasn’t anything else I could do for her.”
“Oh, Lucas.” Mom’s voice softened. “That doesn’t mean marrying her was the solution.”
I hoped Dad would disagree, but he reached for his water.
Neither parent believed I’d pursued Alicia’s money. Neither believed the marriage was right.
Dad eventually asked, “Do you need money while this plays out?”
