Chapter 10 - The Watch Came Off
|
Walter removed the silver watch from his wrist.
He placed it carefully on the dining table.
The small sound of metal touching wood seemed unnaturally loud.
“Daniel,” he said, “I want the truth.”
My husband rubbed his forehead.
“I took out a temporary line of credit.”
“How much?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Not that much.”
I watched him.
He wouldn't look at me.
Walter repeated the question.
“How much?”
Daniel swallowed.
“About a hundred thousand.”
I knew immediately that he was lying.
The banking notification I'd seen indicated a much larger balance.
“Try again,” I said.
Daniel glared at me.
“Can you stop undermining me for five minutes?”
Walter struck the table with his palm.
“Answer her.”
Rebecca jumped.
Evelyn whispered, “Walter, your blood pressure.”
“I'm fine.”
He looked at Daniel again.
“You told me you were doing better than ever at work.”
Daniel said nothing.
“You told me your company promoted you.”
Silence.
“You told me that fifty-one thousand dollars was money you'd earned.”
Daniel's face reddened.
Walter leaned forward.
“Where did it come from?”
I watched my husband search for words.
Finally, he whispered, “The loan.”
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Rebecca looked toward the hallway.
Walter seemed to age ten years.
“You used your home to pay my debts?”
Daniel nodded.
“Dad, I was trying to help.”
I couldn't stay silent.
“You used our home. There's a difference.”
Walter looked at me.
For the first time since I'd met him, I saw genuine uncertainty in his expression.
“Claire, I didn't know.”
“Would you have accepted it if you had?”
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
That answer told me everything.
I stood.
“I came here because I wanted the truth. Clearly, none of you are ready to give it.”
Rebecca stepped into my path.
“You think you're better than us because you have money?”
“No.”
I looked directly at her.
“I think I'm allowed to ask where my money went.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You have no idea what Daniel sacrificed for this family.”
I held her gaze.
“Then tell me.”
She looked toward Evelyn.
It was quick.
Almost invisible.
But I saw it.
Evelyn shook her head once.
Rebecca immediately fell silent.
I turned toward my mother-in-law.
“What are you hiding?”
Evelyn's expression hardened.
“Don't come into my home and accuse me of things.”
I picked up my coat.
“Then stop giving me reasons.”
As I reached the front door, Walter called after me.
“Claire.”
I stopped.
He looked down at the watch on the table.
“Did you pay for this too?”
“Yes.”
His shoulders dropped.
He pushed the watch away.
And for one brief moment, I thought the truth might finally change him.
Then Evelyn stood and declared:
“Walter, don't you dare let her make you feel ashamed.”
I walked out before he answered.
May you like
But I had noticed something important.
Rebecca wasn't the only person afraid of what Daniel might reveal.
