Chapter 8 - What Eric Had Been Hiding
Eric requested a meeting through attorneys.
Lena agreed only because Rachel would be present.
He arrived looking exhausted.
“I’m sorry about the coffee,” he began.
Rachel interrupted.
“You did not throw it.”
Eric looked at Lena.
“I’m sorry I didn’t stop her.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He lowered his eyes.
Eric admitted his income had fallen eleven months earlier.
He was ashamed.
Instead of telling Lena, he began using her household account to cover expenses.
Diane noticed and demanded access.
“She said you had enough.”
“And you agreed?”
“She’s my mother.”
“I was your wife.”
Eric flinched.
Lena continued.
“You let her believe the money came from you.”
“Yes.”
“You forged my signature.”
“I was going to repay it.”
“With what?”
He had no answer.
Rachel asked about the refinancing plan.
Eric claimed it was only an idea.
Then she placed his mortgage application on the table.
He stopped speaking.
Lena studied him.
The man before her was not a criminal mastermind.
He was weaker.
He had allowed shame to become deception and deception to become theft.
Every lie protected the previous one.
“Did you know Diane would throw the coffee?” Lena asked.
“No.”
“Did you know she had threatened me before?”
Eric hesitated.
That was enough.
Diane had once told Lena she would “teach her respect” if Lena blocked the card.
Eric heard it.
He laughed.
“I thought she was joking.”
“You always thought it was a joke when I was the target.”
Eric reached across the table.
Lena moved her hand away.
“Can we fix this?”
She looked at him for a long time.
May you like
“No.”
The answer surprised him more than anger would have.
