Chapter 9
Mom tried to leave.
I blocked her.
“Tell me.”
Her eyes filled with angry tears.
“You are ruining a beautiful day.”
“No. You keep saying that every time I ask something real.”
Dad looked exhausted.
Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded envelope.
Old.
Worn.
Carried too long.
“I brought this because I thought maybe after graduation you should know,” he said.
Mom whispered, “Thomas, don’t.”
He handed it to me.
Inside were copies of court documents.
Bank statements.
A letter from a bankruptcy attorney.
And a notarized agreement.
My eyes moved over the pages, not understanding at first.
Then I saw Mom’s name.
Caroline Parker.
Personal withdrawal.
Business account.
Collateral loan.
Default.
Dad said quietly, “Your mother used company funds to cover debts from Richard’s real estate investment. I signed responsibility because she said Richard would go to prison and you would lose both sides of your family.”
Richard’s face went gray.
My mother started crying.
Not soft tears.
Angry ones.
Dad continued.
“I lost the business because I took the blame.”
I stared at her.
“You told me Dad gambled it away.”
She covered her mouth.
I turned to Richard.
“You shoved him after he protected you?”
May you like
Richard said nothing.
For once.
