Chapter 34 #2
“You were in the kitchen, looking through Dad’s estate records,” I broke in, realizing where she was going with this. I didn’t want her to go there. Not in front of my sisters.
This was the first either Bina or Budge heard about it, judging by the shocked looks on their faces.
But that was how it went in our home. As the eldest, only I was privy to the workings behind the scenes.
So when my baby sister was gearing up for college, she didn’t know that we couldn’t exactly afford all of it.
I always knew my mother blamed me a little for not being able to help out a lot more. Struggling writer didn’t rank very high in the earnings department. The guilt from that had followed me all the way into those mountains.
“Mom?” Bina started hesitantly, seeking confirmation. But my mother only had eyes for me.
“You did something that day,” she said, tapping the envelope. “And I told you-”
“I told you I didn’t want you to pay me back. That was my contribution to Bina’s education.” It was all I had, and she was more a daughter than a sister, anyway. It felt right to do it.
“You did what?” Bina asked, and Budge mirrored her shock and confusion.
“It wasn’t much,” I explained, then turned back to my mother. “It was barely a drop in the tuition ocean, Mom. Seriously, I don’t want the money. I don’t need it.”
“I’ll take it,” Bina piped up brightly, reaching for the check. “Is it enough for me to quit my part-time job waitressing at the campus bar?”
Budge slapped her hand away. “I think it’s only fair we split it. So no, don’t quit your job.”
My mother calmly placed her flat palm over the envelope, still looking directly at me. “I never told you I’d pay you back, Wyatt. I told you I didn’t want it.”
Taylor placed a protective arm around my shoulders as though she’d heard the way my heart crashed into my stomach.
Even so, she couldn’t stop the shaking that started up all over, my knee bouncing rapidly as I tapped my foot.
Because it suddenly dawned on me that it wasn’t a check for sixteen thousand dollars in that envelope.
“What-” I cleared my throat. “What do you mean?”
My mother’s expression softened further, and this time her smile reached her lips. “I said I’d figure something out, and I figured something out. And this,” she picked up the envelope and made me take it, trembling hands and all, “this belongs to you.”
The sun glinted off the thin white paper and Budge squinted her eyes, leaning forward.
“Wait, that’s not a check.”
“It’s not?” Taylor and Bina said at the same time.
I stared down at the envelope, mouth dry, wanting to rip it open but not wanting to touch it with equal desperation.
Before my Shadow series got picked up, it was the most valuable thing I owned.
A gift from my father when I was barely ten years old, with the resolute instruction to never trade it for anything.
He was long dead and buried by the time Bina was in her final year of high school, which made it easier to do what I did.
“You’re killing us, Wy-wy,” Budge groaned. “If you don’t tell me what’s inside that envelope, I’m wrestling you to the ground and looking for myself.”
“I’ll help.” Bina narrowed her eyes.
Their threats were all the motivation I needed. I quickly opened the envelope and pulled out its contents—a 1966 Topps Robin/Boy-Wonder trading card in mint condition. I sucked in a breath, drinking in every exquisite detail.
“A trading card?” Bina’s voice reflected her abject disappointment. “Way to build up an anti-climax, Mom.”
Warm tears stung my eyes, and a sad laugh fell from my lips. I could relate.
“I was so disappointed it wasn’t Batman, but Dad assured me Robin was better,” I said, gazing down at the card.
“It looks brand new,” Taylor remarked, peering over my shoulder to catch a glimpse.
“PSA 10 grading,” my mother replied, “and one of only three in the world when she gave it to me. I know what that card meant to you, Wyatt. There was no way I was going to sell it.”
I looked up at her, surprise and affection brimming in my eyes. “But… How did you…?”
“I told you I’d figure it out, and I did.” My mother squeezed my hand. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to call an end to all these misty eyes and bring out the dessert. Which, I’d have you know, I also slaved over.”
I gave a tearful laugh, wiping my eyes as Taylor pulled me in for a hug.
Minutes later, we were tucking into my favorite cherry pie from Gladys’ bakery down the street, and it felt like back before things went wrong with me.
Like I didn’t miss the last few years with them.
Like a baby never lost its mother because of me.
“I think it’s safe to say they like me.” Taylor smirked as we slid into the back of her Bentley. “Your family’s wonderful, Wyatt. I can’t believe I was so nervous.”
“Nervous?” I grinned at her. “You were the picture of calm and confidence back there.”
“Years of practice.” She gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “I had to learn how to walk into boardrooms filled with older, richer, far more experienced men without letting them smell my fear.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
Jersey’s sleepy winter landscape sped past the window, kindling the immense feeling of hope that bloomed in my chest. If anything, today’s lunch taught me that people can surprise you in the most beautiful ways. All people, not just family.
So I pulled out my phone and sent a text to the man I made a widower.