Chapter 3 - The Morning the Money StoppedThe first person to notice was Robert.
At 7:14 the next morning, his bank app showed a declined mortgage payment.
He assumed it was a technical issue.
Then his wife's credit card stopped working.
Then the payment for Tyler's university account was rejected.
Then their second vehicle's financing payment failed.
Robert called Eleanor.
No answer.
He called again.
Nothing.
At breakfast, his wife stared at him.
“Did your mother cancel everything?”
“Don't be ridiculous.”
“My card isn't working.”
“Call the bank.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“They said the account linked to the payment was closed.”
Robert froze.
“What?”
His wife handed him the phone.
He looked at the statement.
The payment account belonged to Eleanor.
He immediately drove to his mother's house.
When Eleanor opened the door, she was dressed neatly and drinking coffee.
“Mom.”
She looked up.
“Good morning.”
“What did you do?”
“I had breakfast.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes.”
Robert stared at her.
“You canceled everything?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Eleanor set down her cup.
“Because you don't need me anymore.”
“Of course we need you.”
She looked directly into his eyes.
“That's exactly the problem.”
Robert became angry.
“Mom, this is insane.”
“No.”
She stood.
“What's insane is watching your mother almost drown and laughing.”
Robert's face changed.
“I didn't push you.”
“You watched.”
“I thought Tyler was joking.”
“So did I.”
She walked toward the window.
“Until I was underwater.”
Robert lowered his voice.
“I'm sorry.”
“Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Or are you sorry because the money stopped?”
He couldn't answer.
May you like
Eleanor nodded.
“That is what I thought.”
Related Stories
