For the first time in his life, no one was going to rescue him from the consequences.
“You’ll speak in front of them tomorrow.
“Nuria will sink me.
“That’s not a problem for Dad or Mom anymore.
Dinner started at 20:30.
Carmen had prepared a potato tortilla and a salad as if she wanted to hold on to a normality that no longer existed. Manuel sat next to her. Javier occupied a corner. Nuria left the folder in front of Nicholas.
Adrian came with several copies of documents. Pilar, the neighbor, was also invited. Nuria protested.
I thought this was familiar.
Nicholas looked at her.
“When someone has been talking about my parents’ health for months in front of third parties, witnesses are no longer strange.
Nuria did not answer.
For several minutes no one touched the folder.
Finally she opened it.
“Shall we sign?
Nicolas took out the bank statements.
I want to understand this first.
He placed on the table the income of 3,000 euros per month.
Then the exits.
600 euros were left for Manuel and Carmen.
The rest were in debt, private purchases and advice related to Nuria.
“Javier managed the accounts,” she said.
Adrian intervened.
“Then you will have no problem explaining why a party ends up in a society where you are listed as administrator.
Nuria changed her tone.
I have taken care of these people for years.
Manuel raised his head.
“We are your in-laws, not “these people.”
The silence was immediate.
Nicholas put on the table the copy of the authorization with the dubious signature.
“And this?
Manuel signed it.
“No,” he said.
Nuria let out a short laugh.
Manuel, you've been forgetting a lot of things lately.
Carmen hit the table with her palm.
It wasn't strong, but no one moved.
“That’s what you’ve been saying in front of everyone for months.
Nuria turned to her.
“Because it’s true.
Then Carmen took out of her bag a green notebook.
Nicholas didn't know it existed.
His mother opened it on the front page.
There were dates.
“February 12: Nuria withdraws card.”
“March 3: Javier says we can’t receive Pilar because Dad gets nervous.”
“April 21: 1,200 euros are missing.”
“May 8: Change Main Lock.”
“June 15: Manuel asks to return to his room. They say no.”
Carmen had written for months.
Not to report.
Not to be convinced that he was imagining it.
“When you repeat many times that an older person does not remember,” she said, “there comes a time when even that person doubts himself. I started writing it all down to know I wasn't crazy.
