Derek added, “It probably makes sense for them to downsize now that we’re all gone anyway.”

“I never heard them talk about downsizing before,” I said. “As far as I know, they planned to stay there forever.”

Pretty sure our mom had used those exact words—it was her “forever house.”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Things change.”

Running out of money would do that. I scrambled mentally, searching for possible solutions or ways I could help, even though I only had about ten dollars to my name.

“What about Mitch and Steven? Can’t they help them out?”

“They have been.” Derek tilted his head, giving me a look that was meant to be sympathetic but came across as borderline condescending. Still pulling the older brother act. “That’s why they’ve been able to keep the house this long. But neither of them has much money, either. Everyone is tapped.”

“Right.” I nodded, swallowing a massive lump in my throat. Now I wished we hadn’t met somewhere so public. I kind of felt like crying. “So, they’re going to sell it after Christmas?”

“Er, no. It’s already been listed. But worst case, we’ll do Christmas at Mitch’s.” Derek frowned and picked up his cup.

Right. My oldest brother lived in a small house with his wife and three kids. My second oldest brother, Steven, was a perpetual bachelor who lived in a one-bedroom apartment. And this scenario left Derek and me sleeping on couches, because we couldn’t afford a hotel.

Not to mention my parents. Where were they going to live?

“Have Mom and Dad got a new placed lined up?”

“Not yet,” he said, giving a one-shoulder shrug. “They can’t buy anything until the house sells. Plus…I mean, their credit isn’t great anymore with all this. They might have to rent something.”

“Oh my god.” I crushed the cup I was holding slightly. My parents weren’t that young. They should have been thinking about retirement, not losing their home.

“It’ll be okay, B.”

But Derek was trying to convince himself as much as me.

“I don’t see how,” I said. “I hope the house sells if that’s what they need. But I’ll be really sad if we don’t get to have Christmas there. Especially one last time.” My breath snagged.

Derek nodded. “Yeah, me too.” His throat bobbed, and he paused.

I used the lull in conversation to take some deep breaths, quelling the urge to cry. For now, anyway.

“On another note—”

My sibling senses tingled. Alert, alert. Attack incoming.

“Don’t start.” I was already keyed up emotionally, and I’d probably explode if he started in on the Chase issue.

“I’m not trying to,” he said softly. “I wanted to know how you were doing.”

I deflated, lowering my shields halfway, willing to give him a chance but still ready for a fight.