Sam grinned. “Yeah, you’re the only one in our class.”
Dan chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “You would have been helpful on my tax return last month, Lizie. Sam almost lost us our refund.”
“Dad!” Sam groaned, rolling his eyes.
After dinner, Lizie stood by the sink, unsure. Sam intercepted her, handing her a banana. “You forgot dessert, Liz.”
Lizie blinked. “Really? Are you sure?”
Sam put it in her hand. “House rule. No one leaves here on an empty stomach. Ask my mom.”
Lizie clutched the banana tightly, gripping her backpack even tighter. “Thank you,” she whispered, as if unsure if she deserved it.
She lingered in the doorway, glancing back every now and then. Dan nodded. “Come back anytime, honey.”
Her cheeks flushed pink. “Okay. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Never,” Dan said. “We always have room at our table.”
As soon as the door closed, my voice sharpened. “Sam, you can’t just bring people home. We’re struggling to make ends meet.”
Sam didn’t move. “She hasn’t eaten all day, Mom. How could I ignore that?”
I stared at her. “That doesn’t mean…”
“She almost fainted, Mom!” Sam retorted. “Her dad works nonstop. They cut off his power last week. We’re not rich, but we can afford to eat.”
Dan put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Are you serious, Sammie?”
