Chapter 7 - What Family Paid For
Leonard stared at Eric.
“You used the account for your boat?”
Eric stood defensively.
“It was temporary.”
“The club dues?” Dana asked.
“Business networking.”
“My birthday trip?”
Eric looked at his wife.
“You wanted to go.”
“You told me you received a bonus.”
The relatives began exchanging uncomfortable glances.
Patricia reached for her water.
“We were all benefiting. There is no reason to attack Eric.”
Claire turned toward her.
“You knew?”
Patricia hesitated.
That was the answer.
“You let me believe the withdrawals were for your prescriptions and the house.”
“I planned to replace some of it.”
“With what?”
No response.
Noah sat silently beside Claire, listening to the adults reveal why his meal had been treated as an unreasonable expense.
Claire felt sick.
She had spent three years saying no to vacations, delaying repairs to her own home, and working after Noah went to bed because she believed her parents still needed help.
Meanwhile, her brother used the account to perform wealth in front of people who thought he was paying.
The waiter returned with a fresh place setting.
He leaned toward Claire.
“Our chef can prepare your son any entrée he would like. It will be on a separate check, as requested.”
Claire looked at Noah.
“What would you like?”
He glanced at the steak across from him, then at her.
“Can I have the small steak?”
“Yes.”
Eric scoffed.
“Now you’re proving a point.”
May you like
Claire faced him.
“No. I’m feeding my child.”
