Chapter 12 - My Mother’s Offer
Mom asked to meet me at a coffee shop.
Public place.
No Jason.
No Dad.
I agreed.
She arrived wearing the burgundy cardigan she had worn the night they threw me out.
For some reason, that made everything easier.
She sat down.
“You look tired.”
“So do you.”
She folded her hands.
“Jason’s attorney says this could be serious.”
“It is serious.”
“He might go to prison.”
“I know.”
“He’s terrified.”
I waited.
Mom’s eyes filled.
“He’s still my son.”
“And I’m still your daughter.”
She looked down.
“I made mistakes.”
“You committed fraud.”
Her head snapped up.
“Laura.”
“No. We’re done changing words to make you comfortable.”
People at nearby tables glanced toward us.
I lowered my voice.
“You took my documents.”
She said nothing.
“You helped Jason access my account.”
Silence.
“You tried to change Aunt Patricia’s beneficiary.”
Her face went white.
“Who told you?”
“That’s your response?”
She leaned back.
“I was trying to keep this family together.”
“No. You were trying to keep Jason from facing consequences.”
“He needed us.”
“So did I.”
“You were doing fine.”
I stared at her.
“I came home after a twelve-hour hospital shift and found my suitcase at the door.”
She began crying.
“You don’t understand what it’s like to watch your child destroy himself.”
I almost laughed.
“You watched two children destroy themselves.”
She frowned.
“Jason through addiction.”
I pointed at myself.
“And me through obligation.”
That silenced her.
Then she reached into her purse.
She placed an envelope on the table.
“What’s that?”
“A proposal.”
Inside was a typed agreement.
If I provided a statement asking prosecutors for leniency, my parents would sell the house and repay part of my losses.
I read it twice.
Then looked at her.
“The house is already collateral.”
Her expression changed.
“You knew?”
“I know everything now.”
She slowly pulled the agreement back.
For the first time, my mother had nothing left to bargain with.
No money.
No guilt.
No family home.
No control.
I stood.
“Laura, please.”
I put on my coat.
“You told me I was strong enough to recover.”
She stared at me.
May you like
“You were right.”
I walked away.
