lowered his voice.
“No. Don’t contact her.”
Everyone heard that.
I pushed back my chair and stood.
“Don’t contact who?”
Dad’s eyes snapped toward me.
“Natalie, sit down.”
I almost laughed.
I had heard that voice all my life.
Sit down.
Be reasonable.
Don’t embarrass the family.
Don’t upset your sister.
For the first time, it had no effect on me.
“Who shouldn’t they contact?”
Dad hung up.
Nobody moved.
Then Kayla whispered, “Dad?”
He slipped the phone into his pocket.
“It’s just a banking issue.”
“What banking issue?” I
