Chapter 2: The Money He Said Was Gone
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
The birthday music continued behind us, cheerful and completely inappropriate. Someone had left the porch speaker playing an upbeat pop song while my mother argued with a neighbor about whether the photographer should stay.
I could hear Marcus laughing at something.
That sound made my skin crawl.
"Tasha," I said carefully, "are you sure?""
She looked down at the notice.
"I've seen this account number before.""
"How?""
"Because Mom opened the trust when I was little. She used to show me the statements on her laptop. She said it would help pay for college, a house, or whatever I needed when I grew up.""
She ran her thumb over the paper.
"After she died, Dad told me the money was being managed by a financial adviser. He said I shouldn't worry about it.""
"When did he tell you it was gone?""
"Last spring.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because I asked about using some of it for college.""
Her voice grew quieter.
"He said the market had performed badly. Then he said there were medical bills from when Mom was sick, funeral expenses, and other things I didn't understand. He told me the money had been exhausted.""
I felt as if the pavement had tilted beneath my feet.
"How much was supposed to be in the trust?""
"About sixty-five thousand dollars when Mom died.""
"Sixty-five thousand?""
Tasha nodded.
"I didn't know the exact amount until I was older. Dad said he'd had to use most of it to keep the household going after she died.""
I looked back toward our house.
Marcus was no longer laughing.
He had noticed us standing by the sidewalk.
He began walking toward us.
Tasha immediately folded the notice.
That reflex told me more than any explanation could have.
She had spent years hiding her questions because she knew what happened when she asked the wrong ones.
"Give me the paper," I whispered.
She shook her head.
"No.""
"He needs to explain this.""
"Maya, please. You don't understand.""
"Then explain it to me.""
Her eyes flicked toward Marcus.
"He'll say I'm being ungrateful. He'll say I'm accusing him of stealing from my own mother.""
"Did he tell you this transaction happened?""
"No.""
"Did you give him permission to use your money?""
"No.""
"Then why are you afraid of asking?""
Tasha's lips parted, but no words came out.
Marcus reached us before she could answer.
"What are you two doing?""
His tone was calm, almost casual. If I hadn't seen Tasha's face, I might have believed he was simply checking on us.
"We're leaving," I said.
"I can see that. Give me the notice, Tasha.""
Her shoulders stiffened.
"What notice?"" I asked.
Marcus looked at me.
"The envelope she's holding.""
"Why?""
"Because it contains private financial information.""
"About her money?""
"Family finances are not something you need to concern yourself with.""
I took a step forward.
"Then why is her money paying for my car?""
His expression changed.
It happened quickly: the slightest tightening around his eyes, a brief pause before he answered.
But I saw it.
He knew exactly what I was talking about.
"That's a ridiculous accusation.""
"Is it?""
"Yes.""
Tasha clutched the envelope against her chest.
"Dad, what happened to Mom's trust?""
Marcus exhaled sharply.
"Not here.""
"Where, then?""
"Inside.""
"I want to know now.""
He stared at her.
For the first time, Tasha didn't look away.
"You told me the money was gone," she continued.
"You said there was nothing left.""
"I explained the situation to you.""
"You said the account had been closed.""
"It was being restructured.""
"Then why does this notice show a payment to the dealership?""
Marcus glanced at the paper.
His gaze lingered on the amount.
Then he looked at me.
"This is exactly why children shouldn't be given incomplete financial information. They see one transaction and invent an entire scandal.""
"Then explain the transaction," I said.
He ignored me.
"Tasha, your mother would be ashamed to see you behaving like this.""
The words hit her like a slap.
She took a small step backward.
I had heard Marcus use that sentence before, though never in connection with money. Whenever Tasha questioned a family rule or asked why he treated me differently, he invoked her mother.
Your mother would want you to be grateful.
Your mother would want you to respect me.
Your mother would want you to stop making trouble.
It was a powerful weapon because Tasha couldn't ask her mother what she would have wanted.
"Don't use Mom against her," I said.
Marcus turned toward me.
"You have absolutely no place in this conversation.""
"You're right. It's her money. That's why you should answer her.""
My mother appeared at the end of the driveway.
She had followed us without bothering to remove her sunglasses.
"Maya, get back here.""
I didn't move.
Nia stopped beside Marcus and looked between us.
"What is going on now?""
"Tasha has found a bank notice," Marcus replied.
"She's confused about a transaction.""
My mother reached for the paper.
"Let me see.""
Tasha hesitated.
Then she handed it over.
Mom scanned the notice.
I watched her face carefully.
At first, she looked irritated. Then her eyes stopped on the amount.
For one tiny moment, her expression went blank.
She knew something.
I was certain of it.
"Marcus," she said, "what is this?""
He took the notice from her.
"It's a transfer related to the vehicle.""
"From her trust?""
"It was a temporary arrangement.""
Tasha stared at him.
"You knew?""
My mother pressed her lips together.
"Tasha, your stepfather handles complicated financial matters. We were going to explain everything.""
"When?""
"After the birthday celebration.""
"After the birthday celebration?"" I repeated.
Marcus gave me a warning look.
I ignored it.
"You planned to let me drive around in a car bought with her mother's money while telling her she couldn't afford college?""
My mother removed her sunglasses.
"Don't twist things.""
"Then tell me what they are.""
Marcus folded the notice and returned it to Tasha.
"The money will be replaced.""
"When?"" Tasha asked.
"Soon.""
"How soon?""
"When the company closes a few outstanding contracts.""
"What company?""
"My company.""
"Why does your company need my money?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Because cash flow is complicated, Tasha. You wouldn't understand the details.""
She stared at him.
"I'm nineteen. I'm old enough to understand that you told me my money was gone.""
"And I'm your father. I have spent years keeping a roof over your head.""
"I never asked you to spend Mom's money on me.""
"You benefited from that money whether you realized it or not!""
His voice rose.
The neighbors had stopped pretending not to listen.
Marcus noticed and lowered his voice again.
"Your mother left you a trust because she wanted you to have security. I've done my best to honor that responsibility.""
"By buying Maya a car?""
He said nothing.
I felt sick.
I had imagined the worst possible explanation, and somehow the truth was already worse.
Tasha had worked evenings to save money for college applications. She bought her own shampoo, repaired the same winter coat twice, and had quietly given up on asking for help.
All the while, her father had been telling her that her inheritance was gone.
Yet a brand-new SUV sat in our driveway, decorated for my birthday.
"Return it," I said.
Marcus looked at me.
"What?""
"The car. Return it and put her money back.""
"That is not your decision.""
"Then give me back the keys. I'll take them to the dealership myself.""
My mother grabbed my wrist.
"Have you lost your mind?""
I pulled free.
"Maybe. Apparently, that's what happens when you discover your birthday present might have been paid for with someone else's future.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Listen to me very carefully. The transaction was legal, and I will not stand here while you accuse me of criminal behavior.""
Tasha's voice trembled.
"Did I sign anything?""
He looked at her.
"What?""
"Did I sign anything giving you permission to use the trust?""
He paused.
It was only a second.
But this time, everyone saw it.
Tasha's face went pale.
"You did use it without asking me.""
"Your mother appointed me to manage the estate.""
"Manage it," Tasha said.
"Not spend it on a car.""
"You are twisting legal responsibilities into a personal attack.""
"Then show me the documents.""
Marcus's mouth tightened.
"Absolutely not.""
"Why?""
"Because I said so.""
Tasha looked down at the notice, then back at him.
Her hands were shaking, but she didn't retreat.
"I want a copy of the trust statements.""
"No.""
"Then I'll ask the bank.""
"You're not going to do anything until we've discussed this as a family.""
"I am discussing it with you right now.""
For a moment, Marcus looked genuinely startled.
Then he leaned close enough that only Tasha and I could hear him clearly.
"You have no idea what you're starting.""
I stepped between them.
"She's starting by asking where her money went.""
He straightened.
"Both of you are coming inside.""
"No," I said.
My mother stared at me.
"Maya, you're grounded.""
"Fine.""
"No phone. No going out. No friends over.""
"Fine.""
"You will not get another birthday present from this family for a very long time.""
I looked at the SUV.
"That's fine too.""
She seemed almost offended that the threat had failed.
Marcus pointed toward the house.
"Get inside, Tasha.""
Tasha shook her head.
"I need some time.""
"You're not leaving this property with that notice.""
She clutched it tightly.
"It's my information.""
"It concerns my financial decisions.""
"And my money.""
The silence that followed was unlike anything I'd ever experienced in that driveway.
Tasha had challenged him.
Not whispered a question from the kitchen.
Not asked permission after he was in a good mood.
She had looked him directly in the eyes and said that her money belonged to her.
Marcus's face darkened.
"If you walk away from this conversation, don't expect me to keep paying your expenses.""
Tasha flinched.
It was the threat she'd feared most.
She worked at the grocery store, but her wages barely covered transportation, school applications, and the small amount she contributed toward her phone bill. She couldn't afford tuition on her own.
Marcus knew that.
He had chosen the threat carefully.
I reached for her hand.
"Come on.""
This time, she didn't hesitate.
We walked away from the house together.
My mother called after us, but I kept going.
Marcus didn't follow.
We made it two blocks before Tasha finally began to cry.
She sat on a bench outside a closed community center, bent forward, and pressed both hands over her face.
I sat beside her.
For a while, I said nothing.
Then I asked, "What do we do?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"I don't know.""
"Can we call the bank?""
"I don't even know what to ask for.""
"We ask for the statements. We ask where the money went. We ask who authorized the transfer.""
She looked at me.
"And if Dad has a document that says he can do whatever he wants?""
"Then we get someone who understands the document to read it.""
She gave a shaky laugh.
"You sound like a lawyer.""
"I sound like someone who doesn't want you to lose your college money.""
Her expression crumpled again.
"I thought it was gone, Maya. I really did. I thought I'd failed before I even started.""
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"You didn't fail.""
"I should have asked more questions.""
"You were a kid when your mom died.""
"I'm still a kid in some ways.""
"So am I.""
She leaned against me.
For the first time in years, I didn't feel like the younger sister who needed protecting.
I felt like someone who could finally stand beside her.
Then Tasha reached into her bag and pulled out another folded piece of paper.
"What is that?"" I asked.
She stared at it for a long moment.
"This came with the bank notice. I thought it was just an old letter from Mom's attorney.""
She unfolded it carefully.
At the top was the name of a law firm.
Beneath it was a date from six years earlier, shortly before Tasha's mother died.
Tasha began reading aloud.
"'To the trustee and any person responsible for administering the estate of Eleanor Brooks…'"
She stopped.
Her eyes moved down the page.
Then she looked at me.
"Maya, I think Mom left instructions.""
"What kind of instructions?""
May you like
Tasha swallowed hard.
"I think she knew Dad might try to use the money.""
