Chapter 7: The Past
The past came out in pieces during the interrogation.
My mother, Helen, broke first.
She admitted they had been struggling financially. Richard’s business had failed. They had borrowed money from Grandma Evelyn without telling her the full truth. Then they started forging signatures when she refused to give more.
“We thought she wouldn’t notice,” Helen said. “She’s old. She doesn’t check her accounts.”
The detective’s voice was cold.
“She noticed.”
My father, Richard, sat silently, staring at the table.
The past was simple.
They had seen Grandma as an ATM, not as a mother.
They had taken advantage of her love and trust.
I sat with Grandma in the hallway, holding her hand.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
She squeezed my hand.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. You came when I needed you.”
The past was painful.
May you like
But it was necessary.
And it was only the beginning.
