Chapter 7 - PATRICIA’S VERSION
Patricia returned with her own attorney.
Smart.
She gave a formal statement.
Oscar had complained for months that I treated the condo as “mine.”
True.
Because legally it was.
He believed marriage entitled him to equity.
Maybe some equitable financial claim existed.
Medina said that was separate.
Patricia knew about the business debt.
She knew Oscar wanted to refinance.
She knew I said no.
Then Oscar showed her the limited authorization.
He described it as temporary.
Said:
“Lucy already agreed in principle.”
False.
Patricia asked whether I understood.
Oscar said:
“She will.”
Future tense.
Patricia still witnessed my signature.
Why?
“He was my son.”
That answer made me furious.
Patricia cried.
“I thought I was helping your marriage get through a financial crisis.”
“You watched me sign while I was in labor.”
“Yes.”
“You heard me ask what the papers were.”
“Yes.”
“And you said just sign.”
“Yes.”
No excuse.
That mattered.
Then Patricia told us something she had not mentioned.
Oscar prepared a second set of documents.
He did not bring them into the hospital room.
“What documents?”
She did not know.
She saw an envelope labeled:
May you like
AFTER DISCHARGE.
Teresa started looking.
