for me, Mom? Specifically?”
She sputtered.
“We raised you. We fed you. We—”
“You flew across the country for Madison’s housewarming party and wouldn’t drive 30 minutes to my wedding. Your father’s back was fine on the airplane.”
“If you go through with this lawsuit, you’ll tear this family apart.”
“You already did that. You did it every time you chose her over me. You did it when you spent my future on hers. You did it when you didn’t show up to watch me get married. I’m not tearing anything apart, Mom. I’m just done pretending it was ever whole.”
“Madison is devastated. She didn’t know.”
“Madison never knows because you protect her from every consequence. But not this time.”
“Please, Nancy, we’ll pay you back over time. Just drop the lawsuit.”
“Talk to my lawyer.”
I hung up. Jaime was listening on speaker. He held my hand the entire time. I blocked my mother’s number. I should have felt guilty. I felt free. Two days later, Madison called.
“Nancy, please. This is crazy.”
“Hi, Madison.”
“I didn’t know about the trust. I swear. Mom and Dad never told me. But you knew I had student loans while they paid for your school.”
“I thought… I don’t know. I thought they were helping both of us differently.”
“They were. They helped you with my money.”
“It’s not my fault they made that choice.”
“I know it’s not your fault, but it’s not my job to protect you from the truth anymore.”
“If they lose the house, where will they go? They’re old, Nancy.”
“They’re 64 and 66. They’re not that old. And they made choices.”
“You’re really going to ruin their lives over money?”
“Madison, I’ve paid $720 a month for 10 years on loans I shouldn’t have needed. That’s my life they ruined. I’m just asking for what Grandma left me.”
“You were always jealous of me.”
