Chapter 8 - THE DOOR HELEN FINALLY KEPT CLOSED
Rachel reached her mother’s house fifteen minutes after Helen called.
Derek was standing on the porch.
Laura was in the driveway behind him.
Mason was not there.
For that, Rachel was grateful.
Derek turned when she approached.
“This is your doing.”
Rachel did not stop walking.
“You’re not helping yourself.”
“You think because you write checks you own everybody?”
“No.”
She passed him.
“That sounds more like your system.”
His face reddened.
Helen opened the door just wide enough for Rachel to enter.
When Derek moved forward, Helen blocked him.
“I need space.”
“From me?”
“Yes.”
“I’m the one who has been here for you.”
Helen’s fingers tightened around the door.
“And apparently charging me for it.”
Derek looked toward Laura.
“Are you seriously letting them do this?”
Laura stayed beside her car.
For once, she did not answer for him.
Helen closed the door.
The click of the lock sounded louder than it should have.
Inside, Rachel placed a folder on the dining table.
“I talked to a housing counselor.”
Helen stared at her.
“You already did that?”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t decided to sell.”
“I know.”
Rachel slid the folder toward her.
“You have choices. Your pension can cover part of the payment. You could refinance if you qualify, though rates may make that stupid. You could take a roommate. You could downsize. You could sell before you’re under pressure.”
Helen’s mouth tightened at the word sell.
Rachel continued.
“I’ll cover this month so you have breathing room.”
Hope flashed across Helen’s face.
“One month.”
It disappeared.
“After that, I’m done paying the mortgage.”
Helen looked wounded.
Rachel forced herself not to retreat.
“I’ll help you understand numbers. I’ll go to appointments. I’ll help you move if that’s what you choose. But I’m not secretly funding this house anymore.”
“And if I can’t keep it?”
“Then we deal with what’s true.”
Helen’s eyes filled.
Rachel hated seeing it.
But she remembered Mason leaning over her plate.
Dad said you deserve it.
Somewhere between paying bills and swallowing insults, Rachel had helped create a family where her generosity had become invisible and her boundaries looked cruel.
She would not continue it.
Outside, Derek’s truck finally pulled away.
Laura remained.
A moment later she knocked.
When Helen opened the door, Laura was holding Derek’s business laptop.
“I know the password,” she said.
May you like
Her voice shook.
“And I think I know where Mom’s money went.”
