Chapter 15 - The Vote That Broke Us
The emergency board meeting took place by video while I sat in a hospital chair with a pillow against my incision. Mae's monitor sounded softly through the closed NICU door. I wanted to be beside her, not fighting people who thought a charity existed to protect their last name.
Naomi had arranged for an independent board member, a retired contractor named Sam Whitfield, to introduce a motion suspending Maren's signing authority pending an outside audit. Celia's video and the suspect transactions had been circulated confidentially to the directors. I attended to explain my records, but I couldn't vote.
Maren came on screen from Evelyn's living room. Her hair was perfect. A little vase of tulips sat beside her laptop.
"This is a family matter that's gotten out of control," she began. "Laurel has made serious accusations during a very difficult pregnancy."
"I gave birth because you shoved me," I said.
"I reached out to steady you."
Naomi interrupted. "There is clear video of the physical contact. Can we stay with the financial question?"
Maren lifted her chin. "Harbor House has never failed its donors."
Sam leaned toward the camera. "Thirty-one families haven't gotten the repairs we promised. Answer where the money went."
Owen sat beside Maren, pale and silent. He admitted signing the resolution but said he relied on his sister's explanation. The other directors asked for vendor invoices, bank statements, and a plan to repay the funds. Maren produced only a summary sheet with no supporting documentation.
The vote came after forty minutes that felt like an entire winter.
Sam voted to suspend Maren. Two independent directors joined him. Owen voted no. Maren abstained under pressure. The remaining directors split, leaving Evelyn to determine whether the motion would pass.
I watched my mother-in-law stare into the camera. I waited for her to remember Mae's tiny face. I waited for the sound of Ivy crying.
"No," Evelyn said.
The suspension failed.
Dean leaned back as if somebody had struck him. "Mother."
"I will not destroy this family on the basis of accusations," she replied.
Naomi ended the meeting without raising her voice. Then she turned to me.
"We go to a judge."
"Before four tomorrow?"
"We have to try."
May you like
A message came in from Celia while Naomi spoke. It contained a photograph of the wedding program with a handwritten note Owen had left on the back.
If Laurel won't sign, use the old authorization. Mom knows where it is.
