Chapter 10 - THE FIRST SIGNATURE
My mother arrived at ten wearing the navy coat she saved for church.
She carried a purse on her lap and kept both hands over the clasp.
Vanessa wasn’t with her.
Mr. Hale placed my father’s letter on the table.
“Have you seen this before?”
“No.”
“Did you know about the earlier loan guarantee?”
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“How old was Vanessa?” I asked.
“Twenty-six.”
“And you still watched her make me believe I was overreacting?”
“Your father handled it.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
She looked at Mr. Hale.
He stayed silent.
For once, nobody rescued her from answering.
“I thought it was over,” she said.
“Because she repaid the fees?”
“Because she promised.”
I remembered my mother calling me stubborn.
Sensitive.
Hard to please.
I remembered apologizing after Vanessa ruined my engagement announcement, because my anger had spoiled Sunday lunch.
A promise from Vanessa had been enough.
Proof from me never was.
Mr. Hale asked about the company amendment.
My mother admitted Vanessa had brought it to her home two weeks earlier.
“She said Claire had approved it by email.”
“Did you see that email?”
“No.”
“Did you see Claire sign?”
“No.”
“Why did you sign as a witness?”
My mother’s eyes moved to mine.
“Because Vanessa said you were taking the company away from her.”
I let out a slow breath.
“So you helped her take it away from me.”
“No. I was trying to keep you equal.”
“We were equal already.”
June entered with a folder.
She had checked the records from the flash drive against the newer documents.
The same notary stamp appeared on both.
Different dates.
Same commission number.
“The notary retired four years ago,” June said.
My mother’s fingers tightened over her purse.
Mr. Hale noticed.
“Where did Vanessa get the stamp?”
“I don’t know.”
June placed a photograph on the table.
My father’s old desk.
Taken for the estate inventory.
Inside an open drawer sat the stamp.
My mother stared at it.
Then she whispered, “I gave her the desk.”
I stood.
I needed air.
At the door, my mother called my name.
I looked back.
“There’s something else,” she said.
May you like
Her voice shook.
“The amendment wasn’t the only paper she brought me.”
