I nearly laughed.
Instead, I nodded.
“There’s one complication.”
They both became serious.
“The settlement can’t be deposited directly into my normal American account yet. Their compliance lawyers want documentation on my financial activity here because I transferred so much money home while I was overseas.”
Mother’s fingers tightened around her necklace.
“What kind of documentation?”
“Property records. Vehicle purchases. Business investments. Anything bought using money originating from my transfers.”
Travis’s face changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
I continued.
“The attorney said it may be easier to consolidate everything connected to my overseas transfers under one temporary management agreement.”
Mother frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means paperwork.”
That reassured her.
People like my mother were afraid of questions.
Not paperwork.
Paperwork looked official.
Paperwork made greed feel respectable.
“What happens after that?” Travis asked.
“Once the records are clean, the settlement becomes available.”
“How quickly?”
“Maybe forty-eight hours.”
Mother leaned forward.
“And then?”
I shrugged.
“I was thinking about what you said.”
“What did I say?”
“That family should take care of family.”
Her eyes softened.
Completely fake.
“Exactly.”
“So maybe I’ve been selfish.”
Travis shook his head.
“No, man.”
“I’ve made good money overseas. You handled things here. Maybe when the settlement clears, everybody deserves a fresh start.”
That was all it took.
Travis started talking about expanding his detailing business.
Mother mentioned paying off the house.
Then a vacation property.
Then retirement.
She even put her hand on Serena’s shoulder.
“We’ll make sure you get whatever treatment you need, sweetheart.”
Serena stiffened.
I looked at her.
She looked at me.
Something passed between us.
She understood.
Not everything.
But enough.
I stood.
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet with a lawyer.”
Mother smiled.
“Of course.”
“Bring every title, deed, loan agreement, registration and business document connected to anything purchased since I left.”
Travis hesitated.
“All of it?”
“All of it.”
Mother answered for him.
“We will.”
I picked Serena up.
She weighed less than the toolbox I carried at work.
Mother watched me move toward the gate.
“Where are you taking her?”
“Emory.”
“She can’t afford that.”
