“Is that what you’re afraid of?” I asked.
She waited before answering.
“I’m afraid of many things. That’s one of them.”
I rested my hand on her wrist.
“You don’t have to buy a place in her life.”
She nodded, though I could see how hard it was to accept reassurance without a task attached.
That afternoon, we met the hospital’s financial counselor.
She reviewed the coverage problem, explained what documents were needed for assistance screening, and helped me understand which numbers were still only estimates.
We made a plan for prenatal visits and for the delivery bill once it existed.
My care could no longer depend on Gavin promising to fix something.
Marlene took notes beside me.
When we got home, she warmed the dinner Gavin’s sister had left on the porch.
There were oranges and a card simply saying she was sorry.
I ate more than I had all weekend.
At 7:18 that evening, a new bank alert appeared.
An external transfer of $9,600 had been scheduled from our emergency fund to Gavin’s individual account.
I opened the details.
He had created it that afternoon while I was learning how to pay for our daughter’s birth.
PART 6 — THE MONEY THAT STAYED
I called the bank before answering Gavin.
The transfer was scheduled for the next morning.
After verifying my identity, the representative confirmed that either owner could cancel it before the cutoff.
I canceled it.
Then I saved the confirmation and sent it to Elise.
My hand shook when I set the phone down.
Marlene pulled out the chair beside me but didn’t touch the screen or tell me what to do.
“It’s stopped,” I said.
She nodded.
There was still money for the mortgage.
Money for food.
Transportation.
Whatever came next.
