“You said it was so we could pay the bills,” she said.
“It was.”
“You said Michael would be proud that I was helping us.”
Jessica’s face crumpled.
“I thought I was helping.”
“But you didn’t tell him.”
“I was going to.”
“When?”
Jessica looked down.
Mom turned away from her.
That hurt more than any accusation could have.
Susan stepped into the workshop.
“This is becoming unreasonable.
Jessica was acting under pressure.
She was trying to keep the family together.”
I looked at her.
“Did you know she took out the loan?”
Susan’s mouth opened, then closed.
“Did you know my parents’ home was collateral?”
“I knew there was a loan.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
She glanced at Jessica.
Jessica shook her head slowly.
“Mom.”
Susan exhaled.
“I knew she had borrowed money.”
“How much?”
“I didn’t ask.”
“But you accepted the treatment payments.”
