Chapter 8 - Ashley knew more than she wanted to admit
Ashley met me at Daniel Ross’s office.
Her lawyer came too.
Good.
No family kitchen.
No yelling.
Her position:
She knew I was listed as a guarantor.
She did not know my signature had been placed without my permission.
She believed Dad had obtained my approval privately.
Why had she never thanked me?
Because Dad said I did not want:
“business pressure.”
Why had she accepted that?
Because the loan was approved.
Because she needed it.
Because asking might threaten it.
There.
“What did you tell the bank about me?”
Ashley looked at her lawyer.
Then answered.
“That you had helped before.”
“Did you say I would continue?”
“Yes.”
“Did you say I had agreed to guarantee?”
“Dad did.”
“Did you?”
“I didn’t correct him.”
Good.
Specific.
The studio line funded:
Rent during seasonal downturn.
Payroll.
Mirrors and flooring for a second room.
Marketing.
Competition deposits.
Normal business expenses.
Then trouble.
Ashley used approximately $22,000 for personal spending over eighteen months.
Mortgage shortfall.
Car repair.
Emma’s travel.
A family vacation payment.
She claimed those were owner draws permitted by her accountant.
Some may have been.
The bank covenants restricted certain distributions while the line was outstanding.
That was between lender and borrower.
My main issue remained:
My name.
Ashley said:
“I thought you had said yes.”
I stared.
“Did you ask me?”
“No.”
“Then you wanted yes.”
She started crying.
“I was desperate.”
“I know.”
“You never understand what it feels like to have one bad month from losing everything.”
“That does not give you my balance sheet.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
May you like
“Yes.”
For once, I believed she might.
