Chapter 3 - The Call on Speaker
I took the gift bag from Tyler and placed it carefully on the dining table.
“Tyler,” I said, “you did nothing wrong.”
His chin trembled, but he nodded.
Nick rolled his eyes. “Are you finished?”
“Almost.”
I took out my phone.
My mother’s confidence returned when she saw it, as if I were just another emotional daughter about to send a dramatic text she could show relatives later.
“You can turn the payments back on after you calm down,” she said.
“No,” I replied. “I can’t.”
Nick’s smile disappeared.
The contact I tapped was one I had saved the day I paid his overdue balance. The property manager had warned me then, gently but clearly, that my transfer was the only reason the eviction had been paused.
I put the call on speaker.
The room went silent as the line connected.
A man answered, calm and businesslike.
“I was wondering when you’d call. I have the notice ready.”
Nick went pale.
His wife gripped the doorway. My mother’s mouth opened, then closed. My father finally looked up from his drink.
“What notice?” Nick demanded.
The property manager did not answer him. “Ms. Claire, as discussed, once written confirmation of payment cancellation came through, we prepared the lease-default packet. Since the prior balance was cured by you personally and the tenant failed to establish replacement payment, the notice can be served tomorrow morning.”
Nick stared at me.
“You called him?”
“You made me your rent plan,” I said. “I ended the plan.”
My mother stepped closer. “Claire, stop this. It’s Christmas.”
“Yes,” I said. “Tyler noticed.”
Richard, my father, set his glass down. “You are not making your brother homeless to prove a point.”
“I am not making anyone homeless. Nick is behind on his own rent. I simply stopped pretending his responsibilities were mine.”
Nick’s face reddened.
“You know I’ve had a hard year.”
“You bought a new watch.”
“That was different.”
“It always is.”
My mother looked toward Tyler, then quickly away. The gift bag sat between us like an accusation wrapped in crooked tape.
“He could have come another day,” she said.
“No,” I replied. “He was invited today. You shut the door today.”
Nick’s wife whispered his name, but he ignored her.
“You think you’re better than us because you have money?”
I looked at my hospital wristband.
“No. I think I’m done letting you use my money while you treat my child like he is less than yours.”
The property manager’s voice came through again.
“Ms. Claire, do you want me to proceed with the notice?”
Every person in that dining room held still.
I looked at Tyler.
May you like
Then at the unopened gifts.
“Yes,” I said. “Proceed.”
