Nita shook her head. “That’s too much. You’ve already given me, given us, so much. I couldn’t possibly ask for more.”

“Nita, you’ve done so much for me. You were there for me when no one else was. After my mother passed, you were the only person who kept her memory alive for me. And you were family when my real family wasn’t there. After everything you’ve done for me, I owe you.”

Nita turned off the stove and set the wok aside. “You don’t owe me anything. Everything I did for you was because I cared about you. Love, relationships, they’re not transactions.”

“Even so, I’m going to help you.”

“That’s kind of you, but I can’t accept what you’re offering.”

“I’m not giving you a choice.” Yvonne crossed her arms. “If it makes things easier, you can look at it this way. It’s not for you, it’s for the kids. You want them to have a good future, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then accept my help. You know it’s the right thing to do.”

Nita hesitated. “Can I think about it?”

“Take all the time you want. I need some time to get the money together anyway.” Yvonne made a mental note to call the executor of her father’s estate. She wanted to get on top of everything so she could claim half of the money as soon as the three-month mark hit.

“Thank you.” Nita gave her a small smile. “You’re so much like your mother. She was a kind and generous soul.”

Yvonne suppressed a scoff. ‘Kind’ was the last word anyone would use to describe her.

Nita finished cooking and dished out the meal, the familiar aroma of the stir-fry filling the air. It tasted even better than it smelled.

Yvonne and Nita spent the next couple of hours catching up. Before they knew it, it was late afternoon.

“I should get started on dinner,” Nita said. “Are you staying? Mark and the kids will be back soon, I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.”

Yvonne shook her head. “As delicious as your cooking is, I need to get home.”

“I wouldn’t want to keep you from your new wife. Tell her I said hello. You’ll have to bring her over so I can meet her.”

“I will.” Yvonne had no intention of doing so. Keeping up appearances was one thing. Having Nita tell Ruby Yvonne’s embarrassing childhood stories was another.

“Before I go.” Yvonne dug into her purse and pulled out the check she’d written. “The money I gave you would have run out by now. This should tide you over for a while. If you need more to keep the debt collectors at bay, let me know.”

Nita held her hands up in front of her defensively. “I can’t possibly-”

“Just take it. For the kids.”

Nita sighed. “All right.” She took the check and folded it up, slipping it into her pocket. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

They said their goodbyes, and Yvonne left the house. As she walked to the car, she pulled out her phone. She needed to call the executor of her father’s estate to let him know she’d be claiming her inheritance soon.