“You gave her your entire emergency fund?”
“Not exactly.”
Mom twisted the towel in her hands.
“Lauren sent me the payment information. She asked me to pay the repair bills directly because she said it would be easier.”
Somehow, that made me feel even worse.
“When did this happen?”
“Months ago.”
“When was she supposed to pay you back?”
“By summer.”
It was almost November.
I pulled out my phone.
Mom immediately looked nervous.
“Rachel, please don’t start a fight.”
“I’m not starting anything.”
I found Lauren’s number and called.
She picked up on the third ring, sounding cheerful.
“Rach! Hey.”
I skipped the small talk.
“When are you paying my mother back?”
There was a pause.
Then Lauren laughed.
Actually laughed.
“Yeah, I borrowed the money.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
