If one of her sisters wanted something,S. Margareta helped.
If a relative came to her with a problem, Mom opened her wallet.
“One year, we ran out of money for firewood,” she said. “And I was pregnant with you.”
I looked at Dad.
“That’s when Robert told me we needed a plan.”
Mom took his hand.
“And I told him, ‘Take my salary before I have a chance to give it all away.’”
My aunt went pale.
“Margareta…”
Mom looked at her.
“Yes. Even to you.”
But I still didn’t understand the coat.
The shoes.
The vacation.
“Then why did you tell her no?” I asked Dad. “If the money was hers, why couldn’t she buy one lousy coat?”
Dad closed his eyes.
“That is the part I have no good excuse for.”
Mom intervened.
