Chapter 3: The Dinner Invitation
The following afternoon, Julia made one phone call.
Not to Linda.
Not to Frank.
Not to Tiffany.
She called an attorney.
By lunchtime, every bank statement from the past three years sat organized inside a growing binder.
Transfers.
Checks.
Electronic payments.
Holiday expenses.
Birthday gifts.
Medical bills for Lily.
Everything.
The total reached just over $86,000.
Julia stared at the final number without blinking.
She hadn't been supporting family.
She had been financing favoritism.
At exactly five o'clock her phone rang.
Linda.
Julia answered.
"We've decided to forgive your little tantrum," Linda announced.
"You may come for Sunday dinner."
Julia remained silent.
Linda continued.
"But you owe everyone an apology."
"For what?"
"For embarrassing this family."
Julia looked at the binder resting on her kitchen table.
Then she smiled.
"I'd love to come."
Linda sounded relieved.
"Good. I knew you'd come to your senses."
"Oh, I have."
She hung up before another word could be spoken.
Across the room, Lily looked up from coloring.
"Are we going to Grandma's?"
Julia knelt beside her.
"We're going somewhere."
"Will they make me eat in the kitchen again?"
Julia gently brushed a strand of hair from her daughter's face.
"No, sweetheart."
Her voice remained perfectly calm.
May you like
"This time..."
"They're going to answer for it."
