"I wasn't writing them for you, Katherine."
Katherine turned another page.
Greta's first fever after you left. Slept beside her bed because she kept calling for someone.
She stopped reading.
"Was she calling for me?"
Greta answered from the couch.
"I don't remember."
That hurt Katherine more than yes would have.
"I don't remember."
She turned to a later note.
Amelia learned to tie her shoes. Refused help for 40 minutes. Celebrated by asking for pancakes.
A short laugh escaped Amelia.
"I remember that."
"So do I, sweetheart," I said.
Katherine kept reading until she reached a blank page near the end.
"I remember that."
Her hands began to shake against the paper.
"I don't understand what this has to do with the money."
I slid the book toward her.
"Tonight, you're going to read them their bedtime story."
Greta sat straighter.
I slid the book toward her.
Katherine looked from me to the girls.
