Chapter 2: The Money Nobody Told Me About
I sat on the edge of Maya's bed, holding the bank transfer receipt.
The amount was $3,200.
The date was January 9.
The recipient was Brianna.
I read the document again.
Then I looked at my daughter.
"Did you send this money?""
Maya nodded.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
She twisted her fingers together.
"Denise said Brianna was about to lose her apartment.""
I frowned.
"Brianna doesn't have an apartment.""
"She said she was moving into one.""
"Who told you that?""
"Denise.""
I looked at the transfer details.
The money had come from Maya's personal savings.
"Did Denise ask you to do this?""
Maya nodded.
"She said Brianna needed a deposit and first month's rent. She promised she'd pay me back.""
"When?""
"She said after you received the final payment from the construction project.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Did she ever pay you?""
"No.""
"Did you ask?""
Maya looked embarrassed.
"Twice.""
"And?""
"She said I was being selfish.""
I stared at the receipt.
Three thousand two hundred dollars.
My daughter had been working long shifts at a medical clinic, saving money for nursing school, and quietly giving it away because my wife had convinced her that somebody else needed it more.
I felt sick.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Maya's eyes filled again.
"Because she said you were under a lot of pressure.""
I looked at her.
"That doesn't mean you have to carry everything yourself.""
"I know.""
"Then why?""
She took a shaky breath.
"Because she said you would be disappointed in me if I caused another problem in the family.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"She told you that?""
Maya nodded.
"She said you finally had a peaceful marriage, and I shouldn't ruin it by constantly asking for your attention.""
I couldn't speak.
I remembered the evenings when Maya had sat quietly at the dinner table while Denise discussed Jordan's career and Brianna's problems.
I remembered asking Maya how her day was.
And I remembered Denise interrupting.
"She's fine, Marcus. She's always fine.""
Apparently, my daughter had learned that being fine was the easiest way to remain welcome.
I placed the receipt on the bed.
"Did Denise ever tell you where the money went?""
Maya shook her head.
"She said Brianna needed it for housing.""
"Did Brianna know you sent it?""
"I don't know.""
I studied her face.
"Did you ever speak to Brianna about it?""
"She thanked me once.""
"She knew?""
Maya nodded slowly.
"She sent me a message saying she appreciated the help.""
I stood.
"Where is Brianna now?""
"She's staying at home.""
I looked toward the door.
"Then what apartment did she need the money for?""
Maya didn't answer.
I returned to the notebook.
There were more entries.
A $600 payment for Jordan's car repairs.
A $250 payment for Brianna's dental bill.
A $900 transfer marked simply as family emergency.
I recognized the last amount.
It was almost exactly what Maya had told me she needed for her nursing prerequisite courses.
I looked up.
"Did you pay for your own classes this semester?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Then why is there a $900 transfer here?""
Maya hesitated.
"Denise said she needed it for an emergency.""
"What emergency?""
"She wouldn't tell me.""
I stared at the page.
"How did she get you to agree?""
Maya's voice became smaller.
"She said she would talk to you if I refused.""
I closed the notebook.
"Meaning?""
"She said you would think I was being ungrateful. She said you had already done so much for me after Mom died.""
My chest tightened.
I reached for my daughter.
She stepped into my arms.
I held her for several seconds.
Then I heard footsteps approaching.
The bedroom door opened without a knock.
Denise stood there.
"What are you two doing?""
I turned.
"Looking at something interesting.""
Her eyes moved to the notebook.
Immediately, her expression changed.
"Why are you going through her things?""
"Because Maya showed me.""
Denise stepped into the room.
"That's private.""
"Apparently, not when it involves thousands of dollars.""
She looked at Maya.
"Did you give him that?""
Maya lowered her eyes.
Denise shook her head.
"Unbelievable.""
I held up the transfer receipt.
"Where did this money go?""
She folded her arms.
"To Brianna.""
"For an apartment?""
"Yes.""
"Which apartment?""
Denise looked irritated.
"Why are you interrogating me?""
"Because Brianna is living here.""
"Her plans changed.""
"When?""
"Recently.""
"Then why hasn't the money been returned?""
Denise's expression hardened.
"She needed it for other things.""
I glanced at Maya.
"Did Brianna tell you that?""
Denise answered before my daughter could.
"Marcus, this is between the girls.""
"No. It became my business when my daughter was pressured into giving away her savings.""
Denise sighed.
"She offered to help.""
"Did she?""
"Yes.""
I turned toward Maya.
"Did you offer?""
Maya shook her head.
"Denise asked me.""
Denise's eyes narrowed.
"Don't make this sound sinister.""
I looked at her.
"Then explain it.""
She walked toward the nightstand and picked up Maya's notebook.
"These are just family expenses. She lives here. Everybody contributes.""
"Jordan doesn't.""
"That's different.""
"Brianna doesn't.""
"She's going through something.""
"Maya was going through nursing school.""
Denise slammed the notebook down.
"She doesn't need all that money!""
The room went silent.
I stared at her.
"What?""
Denise realized what she had said.
She quickly corrected herself.
"I mean, she doesn't need to keep every dollar to herself.""
I stepped closer.
"That's her money.""
"She's part of this family.""
"Then why are you treating her like a bank account?""
Denise's face reddened.
"You're twisting everything!""
I held out my hand.
"Give me the notebook.""
She reluctantly pushed it toward me.
I tucked it under my arm.
"From now on, you will not ask Maya for money.""
Denise laughed bitterly.
"Are you giving me orders in my own house?""
"Our house.""
She glared at me.
Then she turned toward Maya.
"You see what you've done?""
I stepped between them.
"Don't.""
Denise looked at me.
For a second, I thought she might apologize.
Instead, she said something that made my blood run cold.
"Your daughter has been taking advantage of you for years. She knows exactly how to make you feel guilty.""
I stared at her.
"Explain.""
She pointed at the photograph on Maya's nightstand.
"Every time you try to set boundaries, she brings up her mother.""
Maya went completely still.
I slowly turned toward the photograph.
Angela was smiling in it.
Her hair was pulled back, and one hand rested on Maya's shoulder.
I looked at Denise.
"Get out of this room.""
She scoffed.
"Excuse me?""
"Leave.""
For a moment, she didn't move.
Then she walked out, muttering something about how I had always been impossible to reason with.
I closed the door.
Maya sat down on her bed.
Her hands were shaking.
I crouched in front of her.
"Listen to me. Nobody gets to use your mother's memory against you.""
She nodded, but tears slid down her cheeks.
I stood and returned to the hallway.
As I reached the stairs, my phone vibrated.
It was a message from Jordan.
*Marcus, Mom says you found Maya's notebook. Before you accuse anybody, you should know something. Brianna never received that $3,200.*
I stopped walking.
Another message appeared.
*And I think you need to check Denise's bank account.*
I stared at the screen.
Then I called Jordan.
He answered almost immediately.
"Marcus?""
"Where did the money go?""
Jordan hesitated.
"That's what I've been trying to figure out.""
"Tell me everything.""
May you like
He took a breath.
"Because I think Mom has been lying to all of us.""
