“I want to hear my daughter explain,” her father said.
I looked at Tara. Her gaze was fixed on the document, but Cole was watching the floor.
“They can stay,” I said.
Ruth moved toward the living room.
Before I followed, I picked up my chair.
Cole stepped forward to help.
“I have it.”
I carried it back to the table myself.
CHAPTER 3 – The Signature Beneath Mine
Ruth sat beside me on the sofa. Cole remained standing near the fireplace, where his school photograph still leaned against Walt’s retirement clock.
Tara took the armchair opposite us.
My armchair, although I was too tired to say it.
“There’s a reasonable explanation,” she began. “We were exploring options. Cole and I have invested two years in this household.”
“You moved in while you saved for a deposit,” I said. “You were supposed to stay six months.”
“And we helped you.”
Sometimes they had. Cole had driven me to a cataract appointment. Tara had ordered groceries during an ice storm.
I remembered every kindness. That was part of what had kept me quiet.
Ruth turned a second page.
“The lender also supplied the supporting correspondence.”
Cole moved away from the fireplace.
“Mom, before you read that—”
I looked up.
His face had gone gray.
“What?”
Tara’s hand tightened on the armrest.
“Cole.”
He swallowed.
“I found out Monday.”
The clock ticked six times before I understood him.
“Monday.”
