Natalie forced a tight smile. “Thanks.” She was looking more like her mother all the time: her face was getting thinner and she had a growing air of sophistication. Not sophisticated in her clothing or her language or her ideas, but sophisticated in that her innocence was leaving or had already left. Maybe the right word was worldliness. Over the last couple of months, her carefree spirit had been replaced by a quiet understanding of the emotional landscape she lived in. I felt as though she were seeing her home for the first time. And witnessing a divide between her parents. One that she’d probably witnessed in the past, but in this situation, that divide could not be ignored.

Perhaps she was also seeing her mother’s actions more clearly. Amelia’s actions had little to do with promoting the interests of her family. I understood Amelia’s need for a baby. It was a desire to pull herself from the abyss. To be lifted out of her suffering. To leave her own body and become someone else.

“Have a seat,” Amelia said to Lucia, gesturing to the sofa, and sat down across from her. Natalie was sitting tense and cross-legged on the arm of the sofa. I sat down between her and her mother.

“Lucia,” Amelia said, “your medical bills must be a burden.” She clasped her hands in her lap in an earnest-looking pose. “And you mentioned that you had to cut your hours back at work because you haven’t been feeling well. Pregnancy takes such a toll on a woman’s body. Such a toll. I remember it well. I think … it’s important to have support. Assuming that this works out, and that we all feel comfortable, I’d like to provide the kind of support that would allow you to rest, to study, to exercise, and to have proper nutrition.”

Amelia was successfully managing a maternal tone, as if the only difference between her and Lucia was age.

“Assuming that it works out,” Amelia said, “I’d like to cover all your expenses—medical, food, transportation—retroactively and for the duration of your pregnancy. It’s the least Fritz and I can do.” She looked at Fritz like she was hoping for a nod of affirmation, but she received none. She quickly turned back to Lucia, who appeared to be confused by Amelia’s offer. “Furthermore, I recognize that your pregnancy interrupted your studies, so I’d like to cover the remainder of your college tuition. Wherever you choose to go.”

Lucia held the end of her red scarf in her fingers and twisted the tassels. She didn’t smile or say thank you. Maybe she recognized the semi-bribe for what it was and was insulted. Maybe she saw in Amelia an easy target and planned to squeeze her for all she was worth.