Chapter 6 - The Ledger
Richard stood.
“That is enough.”
Walter did not move.
“No. Now it begins.”
“You come into my house and accuse me—”
“I came into a house partially funded by the son eating in its basement.”
Diane started crying harder.
Claire rose from her chair.
“I didn’t know.”
Ethan looked at her.
She seemed less defensive now.
More frightened.
“My children and I should have contributed,” she said. “But Mom told me you were saving plenty.”
Richard turned toward her.
“Sit down.”
Claire did not.
“No.”
The word surprised everyone, including her.
Walter reached inside the leather bag beside his chair and removed a small notebook. He had spent forty years running a family hardware business before retirement. He believed memory was useful, but numbers were better.
“Beginning tomorrow,” he said, “we make a ledger.”
Richard stared at him.
“For what?”
“Every payment Ethan made. Every household repair. Every utility contribution. Every expense described as temporary.”
“This is none of your business.”
Walter looked at Ethan.
“Do you want my help?”
Ethan had spent years answering questions based on what would keep the room calm.
This time, he answered for himself.
“Yes.”
Walter nodded.
“Then it is my business because he has asked.”
Richard walked away from the table.
Diane remained seated, crying into her napkin.
Claire looked toward Ethan.
“I’m sorry.”
He wanted to accept immediately.
That was his habit.
Instead, he said, “I need to know what you’re sorry for.”
May you like
Claire lowered her eyes.
Not knowing was no longer enough.
