“Look at this. They’ve been moving money out of your linked accounts for years. Small amounts. One hundred thirty here, sixty there, a few hundred somewhere else. But it adds up.”
Even in the dim bar light, I could see the long list of transactions growing on the screen.
“They thought I wouldn’t notice,” I said.
“Because you never did before.”
My phone buzzed again.
Mom.
“You should answer it,” Scott said. “They need to know this isn’t a game anymore.”
I took a deep breath and answered.
“Hello?”
Mom’s voice was shaking.
“Jacqueline, the bank called. They’re saying something about credit lines being canceled and accounts frozen. What did you do?”
“Exactly what I told you I would do. I closed my accounts.”
“But your father’s credit cards aren’t working. We have bills to pay. Lauren needs—”
I cut her off.
“What about what I need, Mom? Like the house I’ve been saving for since I was twenty-four?”
“That’s different,” she said quickly. “We’re family.”
“Family doesn’t steal from each other.”
“We didn’t steal,” she shouted. “We borrowed. You know we’ll pay you back.”
I laughed.
“Will you? Because I checked Dad’s credit report. I’m still listed as an authorized user. He’s maxed out on seven cards, and I’ve been making the minimum payments on them for three years.”
Silence.
Then, almost whispering, she said, “Jacqueline, please just come over. We can talk about this.”
“Sure,” I said, finishing my drink. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Scott raised an eyebrow.
“You’re really going?”
“They need to see my face.”
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