Chapter 9 - THE $3,212 BILL
Margaret never intended to collect $3,212.
That confused Melissa most.
“So what was the invoice for?”
They stood in the kitchen after Thomas went down for his nap.
Jason had asked everyone to sit.
Margaret refused.
She had boxes to move.
“The same reason you made yours.”
“To prove a point?”
“Yes.”
“That’s childish.”
Margaret looked at her.
“You charged me for electricity after I spent ninety dollars buying groceries yesterday.”
“You live here.”
“I raised your son this month for less than a daycare would charge you for two weeks.”
“He is your grandson.”
“Yes.”
“And you like watching him.”
“Yes.”
Melissa spread her hands.
“Then why are you putting a price on it?”
Margaret smiled sadly.
“Exactly.”
Melissa stopped.
Margaret continued.
“You understood immediately that love shouldn’t be turned into a bill when the bill came from me.”
Jason looked down.
Melissa said nothing.
“I don’t want $3,212,” Margaret said. “I want you to understand that my help had value before you decided my presence was a burden.”
She picked up Melissa’s $2,000 invoice.
Then tore it once.
Not dramatically.
Just in half.
May you like
She placed it in the recycling bin.
“My account is settled.”
