“You need them.”
“I’ll get another pair.”
“With what money?”
Darius went quiet.
Renee had made the argument impossible.
Money.
The word that ended most disagreements in the Carter house.
Miles whispered:
“I don't get anything.”
Renee turned.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“No.”
She set the shoe on the table.
“Say it.”
Miles looked at her.
His eyes were wet now.
“I never get anything if Darius needs something.”
Darius flinched.
Renee stared.
“That is not true.”
“Christmas.”
“What about Christmas?”
“My headphones.”
Renee frowned.
“You shared them.”
“You gave them to him because his broke.”
“They were sitting unopened.”
“For two days.”
“Miles.”
“My blue jacket.”
“That didn't fit you.”
“It did.”
“Barely.”
“You gave it to him.”
Darius looked toward the floor.
Renee crossed her arms.
“Are we seriously keeping score between brothers now?”
Miles shook his head.
“You are.”
Silence.
Darius whispered:
“Mom, just give them back.”
Renee looked at him.
“Darius.”
“I said I don't need them.”
“Don't do this.”
“Do what?”
“Make me look like the bad guy for making sure you have what you need.”
Miles laughed through tears.
Nobody expected it.
Especially him.
Renee's face hardened.
“What is funny?”
“You always say that.”
“Say what?”
“He needs it.”
Miles stood.
His chair scraped loudly against the floor.
“He needs camp.”
“He needs new clothes.”
“He needs better headphones.”
“He needs money for tournaments.”
“He needs the big room because he studies late.”
Renee stared.
Darius looked miserable.
Miles continued:
“And I’m supposed to understand because I'm younger.”
“You are twisting things.”
“Dad wouldn't.”
The room changed instantly.
Renee went completely still.
Darius closed his eyes.
Miles regretted saying it the second the words left his mouth.
Not because he believed they were wrong.
Because Marcus Carter had become the sentence nobody was allowed to use in an argument.
Renee's voice dropped.
“Do not bring your father into this.”
Miles looked at the table.
“Why?”
“Because he is not here to defend himself against whatever story you've built.”
Miles's throat tightened.
“He bought me things.”
“So do I.”
“He didn't give them away.”
Renee reached for the sneaker.
“Go upstairs.”
Miles did not move.