Chapter 9 - THE ARGUMENT THREE NIGHTS BEFORE I made a mistake.
I confronted Charlotte before Monday.
Amelia had told me not to.
“Let the bank secure things first.”
I called anyway.
Charlotte came to my house with Daniel.
I placed the statements on the kitchen table.
“What are these?”
Charlotte barely looked.
“Expenses.”
“Whose?”
“Yours.”
“No.”
“Mom, I’ve paid for things for you for years.”
“Not sixty thousand dollars.”
Daniel said:
“Charlotte’s handled everything when you don’t remember.”
That sentence changed the air.
“I remember my bills.”
“You forgot the insurance renewal last year,” Charlotte said.
“I was in the hospital with pneumonia.”
“You forget things.”
“So do you.”
“Mom.”
“Do not start turning this into my age.”
Charlotte cried.
At least tears appeared.
“I was going to replace it.”
There.
“What?”
Silence.
Daniel said:
“She means some transfers covered temporary business cash flow.”
My chest tightened.
“You used my money for Daniel’s company.”
“Short term,” Charlotte said.
“Without asking.”
“We knew you’d say no before understanding.”
“Correct.”
Charlotte reached for me.
I stepped back.
“Monday I’m revoking the power of attorney.”
Her face changed.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I do.”
“We can explain everything.”
“Bring records to Amelia.”
Daniel asked:
“Amelia Price?”
“Yes.”
He looked at Charlotte.
The glance lasted less than one second.
I remembered it later.
Then I said the sentence I wish I had kept to myself:
“If that money isn’t accounted for, I will report it.”
Charlotte whispered:
“Mom, please.”
May you like
I answered:
“No more secrets.”
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