Daniel didn’t answer.
He kept reading.
A few transactions lower, he stopped again.
“Velvet Row.”
Rebecca closed her eyes.
Daniel read the amount.
“Eight thousand seven hundred forty-two dollars.”
I had seen that number twenty times during the previous three weeks.
It still made my stomach hurt.
Daniel looked at his wife.
“From Ethan’s account?”
Rebecca remained silent.
“Rebecca.”
“It isn’t that simple.”
“It looks very simple.”
“You don’t understand how the transfers worked.”
“Then help me understand.”
Ethan suddenly took the statement out of his father’s hand.
He read it quickly.
Seacliff Resort.
Maison Interiors.
Velvet Row.
Several transfers with vague descriptions.
Then he reached the balance at the bottom.
His entire face changed.
My grandson was seventeen years old.
Six feet tall.
He had started shaving.
He drove himself to school.
He talked about engineering programs and dorms and internships.
But in that moment, he looked like the little boy Robert used to lift onto his shoulders.
“Grandma?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“How much money was supposed to be in here?”
I looked at Rebecca before answering.
She looked away.
“I don’t know the exact amount it should be today,” I said. “But your grandfather and I contributed from the time you were born. Your parents added money when you were younger too. Based on the old statements I used to receive…”
I had to force myself to finish.
“There should have been enough to give you a very strong start. You shouldn’t have needed heavy loans.”
He looked down at the balance.
“And this won’t?”
“No.”
That single word broke something in his face.
Lily stepped farther into the kitchen.
“What about mine?”
Rebecca spun around.
“Lily, go upstairs.”
“No.”
“Now.”
Lily’s eyes moved from her mother to her brother.
“What happened to my college money?”
“You’re fourteen. You don’t understand finances.”
Lily’s eyes filled with tears.
“Then explain it.”
