Chapter 2 - The Favorite Son
Nolan had always been the center of the Reed family.
When he failed mathematics, Elaine blamed the teacher. When he crashed Charles’s truck, Charles blamed the road conditions. When he abandoned college after one semester, both parents praised him for refusing to follow a conventional path.
Savannah’s achievements received a different response.
When she graduated with honors, Charles reminded her not to become arrogant. When she bought her first apartment, Elaine complained that it was too far from the family home. When Reed Development secured its first major contract, Nolan joked that Savannah had probably flirted with the client.
She laughed with everyone else because challenging Nolan meant challenging the entire family.
Years later, when Nolan announced that he was opening a fitness studio, Savannah invested forty thousand dollars. The studio closed within eight months.
He opened a food-delivery service next. Savannah provided the startup funds. Nolan spent most of the money on branding, a sports car lease, and a launch party.
When that business collapsed, he told the family Savannah had pressured him to expand too quickly.
Elaine believed him.
“Your brother is creative,” she told Savannah. “You are better with numbers. You should have protected him.”
Savannah apologized.
She even paid the remaining business debt.
By the time the anniversary approached, Nolan had become comfortable living in an apartment he could not afford. Savannah paid the rent directly to the landlord because Nolan often forgot deadlines.
He still criticized her.
“You work too much,” he said during a family dinner. “Money has made you cold.”
Savannah looked at the expensive meal she had purchased.
“I’m paying for dinner.”
“That proves my point,” Nolan replied. “You think paying for things is the same as being present.”
Charles nodded thoughtfully.
Savannah lowered her eyes.
May you like
She wanted to ask why her presence was required but her feelings were optional.
Instead, she paid the bill and drove everyone home.
