He would pick up another Saturday shift. He would figure it out.
He always did.
...
The next week, when Daniel brought Lily to class, Raymond met him at the front desk.
Daniel held out an envelope. "First month."
Raymond didn't take it.
"It's been covered," he said.
Daniel looked across the room. Victor was on the mat, setting out foam blocks for the children. He didn't look up. He was very carefully not looking up.
Daniel walked over.
"Victor."
Victor straightened. "Mr. Carter. Daniel. Sorry."
"Did you pay for my daughter's tuition?"
Victor hesitated. For a moment, it looked like he might lie. Then he sighed.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
Victor looked down at the foam block in his hands.
"Because I owe you more than that," he said. "And because I know what it's like to want something your family can't afford."
Daniel thought about pride. About the way a man's dignity could get tangled up with money until he couldn't tell the difference anymore.
Then he thought about Lily's face when she asked if they were poor.
"One condition," Daniel said.
"Anything."
"You make it right with Ethan, too."