Chapter 4: ## Chapter 4: The Letter My Mother Hid
My mother's: The Letter My Mother Hid
My mother's handwriting blurred before my eyes.
*Sweet handwriting blurred before my eyes.
Sweetheart, if you're reading this, someone has already tried to take what I saved for you.
Beneheart, if you're reading this, someone has already tried to take what I saved for you.*
Beneath the sentenceath the sentence was my father's name.
*Marcus Carter.*
I sat on the floor with the letter in was my father's name.
*Marcus Carter.*
I sat on the floor with the letter in my hands, listening to the muffled sounds of Vanessa moving around downstairs. A cabinet slammed. Water ran through the kitchen pipes. Brianna laughed at something on her phone.
Ordinary sounds.
The sounds of a family that had no idea the dead woman they had tried to erase was about to my hands, listening to the muffled sounds of Vanessa moving around downstairs. A cabinet slammed. Water ran through the kitchen pipes. Brianna laughed at something on her phone.
Ordinary sounds.
The sounds of a family that had no idea the dead woman they had tried to erase was about to speak.
I turned the page speak.
I turned the page.
Marcus, if you are reading this before Nia, please remember the promise you made me.
My fingers trembled.
The letter wasn't addressed.
Marcus, if you are reading this before Nia, please remember the promise you made me.
My fingers trembled.
The letter wasn't addressed to me alone. It had begun as to me alone. It had begun as a message between my parents, written in the months before my mother died.
I continued.
The money in the blue envelope is not household money. It is Nia's future. I have been saving it since the day she was born, and I have made arrangements to ensure it remains hers even if something happens to me.
I stopped reading.
The blue envelope.
I remembered it clearly. It had been tucked inside Mom's wooden sewing box, beneath a bundle of measuring tapes. When I found it after her death, I had been too young to understand how much money it contained.
I only remembered the words she had written across the front.
For Nia's Dreams.
Dad had told me a message between my parents, written in the months before my mother died.
I continued.
The money in the blue envelope is not household money. It is Nia's future. I have been saving it since the day she was born, and I have made arrangements to ensure it remains hers even if something happens to me.
I stopped reading.
The blue envelope.
I remembered it clearly. It had been tucked inside Mom's wooden sewing box, beneath a bundle of measuring tapes. When I found it after her death, I had been too young to understand how much money it contained.
I only remembered the words she had written across the front.
For Nia's Dreams.
Dad had told me the money was gone.
But my mother had made arrangements.
I read on.
the money was gone.
But my mother had made arrangements.
I read on.
I have placed the supporting documents with the attorney handling my estate. Marcus knows where theyI have placed the supporting documents with the attorney handling my estate. Marcus knows where they are.
If Nia ever asks about the fund, please do not are. If Nia ever asks about the fund, please do not dismiss her questions. She deserves the truth, even if the truth is uncomfortable.*
The letter ended dismiss her questions. She deserves the truth, even if the truth is uncomfortable.*
The letter ended with a sentence that made my stomach twist.
*Love is not proven by with a sentence that made my stomach twist.
Love is not proven by what we promise our children. It is proven by what we protect for them when nobody is watching.
I pressed the paper against my chest.
For years, I had wondered whether my mother had left me what we promise our children. It is proven by what we protect for them when nobody is watching.*
I pressed the paper against my chest.
For years, I had wondered whether my mother had left me enough money to pursue my dream.
Now I wondered whether Dad had known exactly enough money to pursue my dream.
Now I wondered whether Dad had known exactly what he was doing when he told me it had been spent.
I turned the letter over.
A second what he was doing when he told me it had been spent.
I turned the letter over.
A second sheet had been folded into the back. It contained the sheet had been folded into the back. It contained the name of a law firm, a phone number, and a reference to a trust established in my name.
Beneath the information, Mom had written a final instruction.
*If anything seems wrong, ask for a copy of the original trust agreement. Never accept name of a law firm, a phone number, and a reference to a trust established in my name.
Beneath the information, Mom had written a final instruction.
If anything seems wrong, ask for a copy of the original trust agreement. Never accept a verbal explanation when a written record should exist.
I looked at the small metal key beside the letter.
A faded paper a verbal explanation when a written record should exist.*
I looked at the small metal key beside the letter.
A faded paper tag hung from it.
*LOCKBOX 214.*
My mother had left me a trail.
And someone had spent years hoping I would never follow it.
A knock sounded at my bedroom tag hung from it.
*LOCKBOX 214.*
My mother had left me a trail.
And someone had spent years hoping I would never follow it.
A knock sounded at my bedroom door.
I shoved the papers beneath my blanket.
“Nia?”” Dad called.
I wiped my face and opened door.
I shoved the papers beneath my blanket.
“Nia?”” Dad called.
I wiped my face and opened the door.
He stood in the hallway holding a glass of water. For the first time in days, he looked uncomfortable rather than angry.
“Can I come in?””
I stepped aside.
He entered slowly, glancing at the sewing machine near the window.
“I've been thinking about what you said earlier.””
I said nothing.
Dad set the the door.
He stood in the hallway holding a glass of water. For the first time in days, he looked uncomfortable rather than angry.
“Can I come in?””
I stepped aside.
He entered slowly, glancing at the sewing machine near the window.
“I've been thinking about what you said earlier.””
I said nothing.
Dad set the glass on my desk.
“You're right that I haven't handled things well glass on my desk.
“You're right that I haven't handled things well.””
The words should have made me feel better.
Instead, I wondered how much he already knew.””
The words should have made me feel better.
Instead, I wondered how much he already knew about the letter.
“Did Mom leave money for me?”” I asked.
His face changed about the letter.
“Did Mom leave money for me?”” I asked.
His face changed.
“What?””
“Did she leave money in a trust?””
He stared at me.
For a moment, the only.
“What?””
“Did she leave money in a trust?””
He stared at me.
For a moment, the only sound was the ticking clock above sound was the ticking clock above my desk.
Then he said, “Where did you hear that?””
I watched him carefully.
“You didn't answer my question.””
He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Your mother made a lot of arrangements when she was sick. Some of them were complicated.””
“Was there a trust?””
“Nia, those things are private family matters.””
“I'm the family member my desk.
Then he said, “Where did you hear that?””
I watched him carefully.
“You didn't answer my question.””
He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Your mother made a lot of arrangements when she was sick. Some of them were complicated.””
“Was there a trust?””
“Nia, those things are private family matters.””
“I'm the family member the trust was for.””
He looked toward the door.
“Where is the trust was for.””
He looked toward the door.
“Where is this coming from?””
I reached beneath the blanket and took out the letter.
Dad recognized the this coming from?””
I reached beneath the blanket and took out the letter.
Dad recognized the handwriting immediately.
His face drained of color.
“Where did you get that?””
“Mom's sewing box.””
He took a step handwriting immediately.
His face drained of color.
“Where did you get that?””
“Mom's sewing box.””
He took a step toward me.
“Give it to me.””
I pulled it against my chest.
“No.””
toward me.
“Give it to me.””
I pulled it against my chest.
“No.””
“Nia, that letter is old. You don't understand the circumstances surrounding it.””
“Then explain them“Nia, that letter is old. You don't understand the circumstances surrounding it.””
“Then explain them.””
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
I held up the letter.
“Did Mom leave money for me?””
Dad lowered.””
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
I held up the letter.
“Did Mom leave money for me?””
Dad lowered himself onto the edge of my bed.
“Yes.””
The answer was so himself onto the edge of my bed.
“Yes.””
The answer was so quiet I almost missed it.
My throat tightened.
“How much?””
“I don't remember the exact amount.””
“You said that quiet I almost missed it.
My throat tightened.
“How much?””
“I don't remember the exact amount.””
“You said that before.””
“Because I don't.””
“Did you spend it?””
He stared at before.””
“Because I don't.””
“Did you spend it?””
He stared at his hands.
“Some of the money was used during a difficult period.””
“Mom specifically said it wasn't household his hands.
“Some of the money was used during a difficult period.””
“Mom specifically said it wasn't household money.””
He looked up sharply.
“You don't know what it was like after she died.””
“I was there money.””
He looked up sharply.
“You don't know what it was like after she died.””
“I was there!””
My voice cracked.
“I was the one sleeping in!””
My voice cracked.
“I was the one sleeping in her bedroom because I couldn't stand being alone. I was the one eating cereal for dinner when you worked late her bedroom because I couldn't stand being alone. I was the one eating cereal for dinner when you worked late.
I was the one who kept her sewing machine running because I couldn't bear to put it. I was the one who kept her sewing machine running because I couldn't bear to put it away.””
Tears spilled down my cheeks.
“You don't get to tell me I don't know what it was like.””
Dad stood.
“I away.””
Tears spilled down my cheeks.
“You don't get to tell me I don't know what it was like.””
Dad stood.
“I did the best I could.””
“Then why did you lie to me?””
He looked at the letter again.
did the best I could.””
“Then why did you lie to me?””
He looked at the letter again.
“Because I didn't want you worrying about money.””
“That doesn't“Because I didn't want you worrying about money.””
“That doesn't explain why you told me it was gone.””
His silence answered before explain why you told me it was gone.””
His silence answered before he did.
“I thought I could replace it,” he finally said.
I felt he did.
“I thought I could replace it,” he finally said.
I felt as if the floor had shifted beneath me.
“Replace it?””
“I had as if the floor had shifted beneath me.
“Replace it?””
“I had expenses. The house needed repairs. There were bills after your mother died. I thought I'd expenses.
The house needed repairs. There were bills after your mother died. I thought I'd put everything back once things improved.””
“Did you?””
put everything back once things improved.””
“Did you?””
He didn't answer.
“Dad, did you put it back?””
His eyes filled with tearsHe didn't answer.
“Dad, did you put it back?””
His eyes filled with tears, but he looked away before I could decide whether they were real.
“I made mistakes.””
I stepped, but he looked away before I could decide whether they were real.
“I made mistakes.””
I stepped back.
“How much?””
He swallowed.
“I don't know.””
“Then find out.””
“Nia back.
“How much?””
He swallowed.
“I don't know.””
“Then find out.””
“Nia—”
“Find out, Dad.””
I placed the letter on the desk.
“Tomorrow I'm meeting the competition judges. They're reviewing—”
“Find out, Dad.””
I placed the letter on the desk.
“Tomorrow I'm meeting the competition judges. They're reviewing the ownership of my dress, and they've found a document with your the ownership of my dress, and they've found a document with your name on it.””
His head snapped up.
“What document?””
I studied his face.
“You tell me.””
For the first name on it.””
His head snapped up.
“What document?””
I studied his face.
“You tell me.””
For the first time, Dad looked frightened.
Not guilty in the vague, uncomfortable way he had looked when time, Dad looked frightened.
Not guilty in the vague, uncomfortable way he had looked when Vanessa and I argued.
Frightened.
“What exactly did they say?”” he demanded.
I folded my arms.
“Why Vanessa and I argued.
Frightened.
“What exactly did they say?”” he demanded.
I folded my arms.
“Why? Is there something I should know?””
He paced across the room.
“Those people? Is there something I should know?””
He paced across the room.
“Those people don't understand our family. They don't know what happened after your mother died.””
“ don't understand our family. They don't know what happened after your mother died.””
“Then tell me.””
He stopped.
His mouth opened,Then tell me.””
He stopped.
His mouth opened, but before he could speak, Vanessa called from downstairs.
“Marcus! Brianna needs you!””
Dad looked at the door.
Then at me but before he could speak, Vanessa called from downstairs.
“Marcus! Brianna needs you!””
Dad looked at the door.
Then at me.
“I'll explain everything after graduation.””
“No.””
He frowned.
“What?””
“I'm done.
“I'll explain everything after graduation.””
“No.””
He frowned.
“What?””
“I'm done waiting until after something important to hear the truth.””
He stared at me for several seconds waiting until after something important to hear the truth.””
He stared at me for several seconds.
Then he picked up his glass and left.
I locked the door behind him.
My hands were shaking.
Then he picked up his glass and left.
I locked the door behind him.
My hands were shaking so badly that I had trouble putting the letter back into its envelope.
I had expected an so badly that I had trouble putting the letter back into its envelope.
I had expected an argument.
I hadn't expected my father to confirm that the money existed.
And I hadn't expected him to be more frightened argument.
I hadn't expected my father to confirm that the money existed.
And I hadn't expected him to be more frightened by the competition's discovery than by the fact that his daughter had been left with almost nothing.
I placed the by the competition's discovery than by the fact that his daughter had been left with almost nothing.
I placed the letter and key inside my schoolbag, then set an alarm for the following morning letter and key inside my schoolbag, then set an alarm for the following morning.
At 9:30 a.m., I arrived at the community arts center with Mrs. Alvarez.
The building stood between a.
At 9:30 a.m., I arrived at the community arts center with Mrs. Alvarez.
The building stood between a public library and a small theater. Posters for dance recitals public library and a small theater. Posters for dance recitals and art exhibitions covered the entrance. Inside, the air smelled of floor polish and fresh coffee.
A woman and art exhibitions covered the entrance. Inside, the air smelled of floor polish and fresh coffee.
A woman in a charcoal blazer approached us.
“Miss Carter?””
“Yes.””
“I'm Eleanor Price. Thank in a charcoal blazer approached us.
“Miss Carter?””
“Yes.””
“I'm Eleanor Price. Thank you for coming.””
She shook my hand and led us into a private meeting room.
A long table you for coming.””
She shook my hand and led us into a private meeting room.
A long table stood beneath fluorescent lights. Two other people sat at the far end, including a stood beneath fluorescent lights. Two other people sat at the far end, including a man with silver hair and a woman wearing glasses.
Eleanor introduced them as man with silver hair and a woman wearing glasses.
Eleanor introduced them as members of the design committee.
Then she placed a folder on the table.
“We need to members of the design committee.
Then she placed a folder on the table.
“We need to discuss two issues,” she said.
“The first concerns the authorship of the gown submitted under your name. The second discuss two issues,” she said.
“The first concerns the authorship of the gown submitted under your name. The second concerns a separate entry connected to your family.””
My mouth went dry.
“Can I concerns a separate entry connected to your family.””
My mouth went dry.
“Can I see the entry?””
Eleanor exchanged a glance with the man beside her.
“Of course.””
She opened the see the entry?””
Eleanor exchanged a glance with the man beside her.
“Of course.””
She opened the folder and turned a document toward me.
The heading read:
**CARTER CREATIVE DESIGN — ORIGINAL GAR folder and turned a document toward me.
The heading read:
*CARTER CREATIVE DESIGN — ORIGINAL GARMENT SUBMISSION.*
Below it was a photograph of my gown.
My gown before the paintMENT SUBMISSION.**
Below it was a photograph of my gown.
My gown before the paint.
My gown as it had looked when I completed the final stitches.
My gown as it had looked when I completed the final stitches.
But the applicant's name was not mine.
It was Marcus Carter.
The document stated that he had.
But the applicant's name was not mine.
It was Marcus Carter.
The document stated that he had commissioned and developed the design as part of a proposed family fashion business. It also included a declaration that the design was his commissioned and developed the design as part of a proposed family fashion business. It also included a declaration that the design was his original intellectual property.
I stared at the signature.
My father's handwriting.
The date was six original intellectual property.
I stared at the signature.
My father's handwriting.
The date was six weeks earlier.
“That's impossible,” I whispered.
Eleanor leaned forward.
“Did you give your father permission to submit your weeks earlier.
“That's impossible,” I whispered.
Eleanor leaned forward.
“Did you give your father permission to submit your design?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize him to claim ownership of the garment?””
“No.””
“Did he design?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize him to claim ownership of the garment?””
“No.””
“Did he pay you to create it on his behalf?””
“No. I paid for everything myself.””
Mrs. Alvarez slid my pay you to create it on his behalf?””
“No. I paid for everything myself.””
Mrs. Alvarez slid my receipts across the table.
Eleanor reviewed them, then examined my photographs.
“We have receipts across the table.
Eleanor reviewed them, then examined my photographs.
“We have verified that your design application predates the disputed submission,” she said.
“Your progress photographs also establish verified that your design application predates the disputed submission,” she said.
“Your progress photographs also establish that you were constructing the gown before the date on this document.””
I looked at my father's signature again.
“Why would he do this that you were constructing the gown before the date on this document.””
I looked at my father's signature again.
“Why would he do this?””
Nobody answered immediately.
Then the silver-haired committee member spoke.
“Your father's submission included a?””
Nobody answered immediately.
Then the silver-haired committee member spoke.
“Your father's submission included a business proposal. He indicated that the gown would be presented by his family as business proposal. He indicated that the gown would be presented by his family as part of a new fashion venture.””
My hands curled into fists.
“By his family?””
The man nodded.
part of a new fashion venture.””
My hands curled into fists.
“By his family?””
The man nodded.
“The proposal named Brianna Vale as the intended model.””
Of course it did.
My stepsister would wear“The proposal named Brianna Vale as the intended model.””
Of course it did.
My stepsister would wear my gown, my father would claim my design, and Vanessa would stand beside them while they accepted my gown, my father would claim my design, and Vanessa would stand beside them while they accepted the applause.
Three people.
One stolen dream.
Eleanor closed the folder.
“We have the applause.
Three people.
One stolen dream.
Eleanor closed the folder.
“We have not accepted your father's claim. The purpose of this meeting is to establish the facts before not accepted your father's claim. The purpose of this meeting is to establish the facts before the showcase.””
I took a breath.
“Then I need to tell you something else.””
I explained the showcase.””
I took a breath.
“Then I need to tell you something else.””
I explained the paint, the slap, and Brianna's announcement that she would wear the gown at Saturday's competition.
I showed them the paint, the slap, and Brianna's announcement that she would wear the gown at Saturday's competition.
I showed them the photograph of her wearing my design.
When I finished, Eleanor's expression had hardened the photograph of her wearing my design.
When I finished, Eleanor's expression had hardened.
“We will contact the event organizers,” she said.
“No award will be finalized until the ownership dispute has been.
“We will contact the event organizers,” she said.
“No award will be finalized until the ownership dispute has been reviewed.””
I looked down at my hands.
“Will I still be allowed to compete?””
“Yes,” Eleanor reviewed.””
I looked down at my hands.
“Will I still be allowed to compete?””
“Yes,” Eleanor replied.
“Your finalist status remains intact.””
Relief rushed through me so quickly that I had to replied.
“Your finalist status remains intact.””
Relief rushed through me so quickly that I had to grip the edge of the table.
Then Eleanor glanced at the key lying beside my mother's letter.
grip the edge of the table.
Then Eleanor glanced at the key lying beside my mother's letter.
“What is that?””
I explained what I had found.
She read“What is that?””
I explained what I had found.
She read the tag carefully.
“Have you opened the lockbox?””
“No.””
“Do you know where it is the tag carefully.
“Have you opened the lockbox?””
“No.””
“Do you know where it is?””
I shook my head.
Eleanor made a note.
“Your mother's estate attorney may be able to help you. If there is a trust agreement, it could clarify the financial?””
I shook my head.
Eleanor made a note.
“Your mother's estate attorney may be able to help you. If there is a trust agreement, it could clarify the financial questions you've raised.””
I nodded.
I had come to questions you've raised.””
I nodded.
I had come to the meeting expecting to defend my dress.
I was leaving with a reason to investigate my entire childhood.
As we the meeting expecting to defend my dress.
I was leaving with a reason to investigate my entire childhood.
As we stood to go, Eleanor touched my arm.
“Nia, one more thing.””
I turned stood to go, Eleanor touched my arm.
“Nia, one more thing.””
I turned.
“Your father has been invited to attend a separate meeting this afternoon. We requested that he.
“Your father has been invited to attend a separate meeting this afternoon. We requested that he bring the original documents supporting his claim.””
My stomach tightened.
“What if he doesn't come?””
Eleanor's expression was calm.
“ bring the original documents supporting his claim.””
My stomach tightened.
“What if he doesn't come?””
Eleanor's expression was calm.
“Then we will proceed with the evidence we have.””
I left the arts center with Mrs. Alvarez, carrying my mother's letter and theThen we will proceed with the evidence we have.””
I left the arts center with Mrs. Alvarez, carrying my mother's letter and the key in my schoolbag.
Outside, the sun had broken through the clouds.
For the first key in my schoolbag.
Outside, the sun had broken through the clouds.
For the first time in days, I could breathe without feeling as if someone were standing on my chest.
Then my phone rang.
time in days, I could breathe without feeling as if someone were standing on my chest.
Then my phone rang.
Dad's name appeared on the screen.
I answered.
“Where are you?”” he demanded.
“At theDad's name appeared on the screen.
I answered.
“Where are you?”” he demanded.
“At the arts center.””
“Who told you to bring your mother's letter?””
“Nobody. I found it.””
His breathing grew arts center.””
“Who told you to bring your mother's letter?””
“Nobody. I found it.””
His breathing grew uneven.
“Nia, listen to me. You need to leave this alone.””
uneven.
“Nia, listen to me. You need to leave this alone.””
I stopped walking.
“Why?””
“Because you don't understand what you're getting involved in.””
“Then explain it.””
He was silent.
I heard a door close on his end of the call.
Then he whispered, “Your mother didn't just leave you money.””
My fingers tightenedI stopped walking.
“Why?””
“Because you don't understand what you're getting involved in.””
“Then explain it.””
He was silent.
I heard a door close on his end of the call.
Then he whispered, “Your mother didn't just leave you money.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“What does that mean?””
“It means there are things in that lockbox that were never supposed to around the phone.
“What does that mean?””
“It means there are things in that lockbox that were never supposed to come out.””
I looked down at the little brass key.
“Dad, what did you do?””
come out.””
I looked down at the little brass key.
“Dad, what did you do?””
He didn't answer.
Instead, he said something that made the blood drain from my face.
“Whatever you do,He didn't answer.
Instead, he said something that made the blood drain from my face.
“Whatever you do, don't let Vanessa find that key.””
The call ended.
And across the street, through the window of a parked black SUV, I saw my step don't let Vanessa find that key.””
The call ended.
And across the street, through the window of a parked black SUV, I saw my stepmother watching me.
She had a phone pressed to her ear.
And when our eyes met, she smiledmother watching me.
She had a phone pressed to her ear.
May you like
And when our eyes met, she smiled.
.
Related Stories
