“Mom, did you and Dad really let Halvor crash in my house while I was away?”

“Why’re you using my full name?” Hal piped up from the couch.

I ignored him.

“Alden, don’t make a fuss,” my mother said, without a trace of regret. “Hal needed somewhere to stay, and you’ve got plenty of space. You don’t even have kids yet. What’s the harm in helping your brother?”

I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Mom, he’s 42. He’s not a kid. You’ve let him leech off you for years, and now you’re dumping him on me? Are you serious? Why do you keep treating him like he’s fresh out of college?”