Chapter 2 - The Envelope Under the Tree
I knew Daniel's face better than anyone. I knew the line that appeared beside his mouth when he was exhausted and how he touched the back of his neck when he lied about being worried. At that table, he went completely still.
“Camille,” he said, “don't.”
That single word landed harder than her accusation.
“Don't what?” I asked him.
He glanced at Owen. “We should get him changed first.”
“Answer me.”
“She's trying to upset you.”
“Then tell me she's lying.”
He didn't.
Camille folded her arms, pleased to have found an opening. “Ask him about the envelope.”
Walter suddenly stood. “Enough. Not in my mother's house.”
Ruth turned toward him. “Sit down, Walter.”
He sat.
My dress was cooling against my skin. I shifted Owen to my other arm and followed Camille's eyes to the presents stacked beneath the tree. One slim white envelope rested half-hidden behind a green box. Across its front, in Daniel's handwriting, was my name.
“What's in it?” I asked.
Daniel exhaled. “I planned to tell you tonight.”
“Before or after somebody threw dinner at me?”
He winced. I walked toward the tree, crouched carefully with Owen in my arms, and took the envelope.
Inside was a notice from a bank. At the top, in neat black type, it said that the loan secured against our house had entered default review.
The room seemed to tilt.
“Our house is paid off,” I said.
Daniel looked at the floor.
“Daniel.”
“I can explain.”
“No. Start with why a bank thinks we owe four hundred and eighty thousand dollars.”
Camille stepped closer. “Because your husband kept believing Dad could fix it.”
Walter thundered, “Shut your mouth.”
Ruth's face lost color. “Four hundred and eighty thousand?”
I read the next paragraph. A corporation named Bellweather Community Services appeared as borrower. My husband's signature appeared below its name. And beneath that, smaller but unmistakable, was a second signature.
May you like
Mine.
I had never signed this document.
