Chapter 2 - Sign It
The confrontation began over roast chicken and mashed potatoes.
Robert slid a printed email across the dinner table.
“Sign it.”
The document stated that Ava Whitaker was voluntarily deferring her fall semester at Ellison University.
Voluntarily.
Ava had worked three jobs for that acceptance.
She cleaned law offices at night, tutored wealthy students after school, and worked weekend shifts at a diner. Every cash tip went into a coffee tin hidden beneath her bed.
Ellison represented more than a degree.
It was a locked dormitory door her brother could not open.
A bank account her parents could not inspect.
A future beyond the dining room where every family emergency somehow became Ava’s responsibility.
“Why would I defer?” she asked.
Robert folded his hands.
“Because family comes first.”
That meant Brandon came first.
Diane kept her eyes on her plate.
“Your brother is under enough stress.”
“He sold my laptop and camera.”
Brandon leaned back in his chair.
“You can’t prove that.”
“I found the pawn slips in your truck.”
He smiled.
“There she goes again.”
Robert struck the table with his palm.
“You embarrassed him at church by accusing him in front of people.”
“He stole from me.”
“You will apologize tonight, or we cut off your education. No tuition assistance. No housing co-signature. No car. Nothing.”
They expected fear.
Ava looked at the deferral form.
Then she folded it in half.
“Alright.”
Robert smiled.
May you like
Brandon winked at her.
Neither noticed that Ava had not agreed to sign it.
