Chapter 3 - Eighteen Hundred Dollars
The demand began over breakfast on a bright Tuesday morning.
Maren entered the dining room and found a printed contract beside her coffee. Lorraine sat at the head of the table in a cream suit, speaking with a lawyer on the phone.
Wade stood near the windows, avoiding Maren’s eyes.
“What is this?” Maren asked.
Lorraine ended the call.
“A household contribution agreement.”
Maren read the first page.
The document demanded that she pay eighteen hundred dollars each month to Lorraine for the privilege of living in the mansion.
At first, Maren thought it was a joke.
Then she saw Wade’s expression.
“Why is your mother asking me for rent in my own house?”
Lorraine folded her hands.
“Because you contribute nothing visible to this household.”
“I pay the property taxes, insurance, staff salaries, maintenance costs, utilities, and security.”
Lorraine waved one hand dismissively.
“Through mysterious companies no one can verify.”
“You have seen the invoices.”
“I have seen papers.”
Maren looked at Wade.
“Did you know about this?”
He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Mom thinks a formal arrangement would reduce tension.”
“What do you think?”
“I think eighteen hundred dollars isn’t unreasonable.”
Maren placed the contract on the table.
“For a house I own?”
Lorraine laughed.
“You continue saying that, yet you have never shown us a deed with your personal name on it.”
“The property belongs to my company.”
“Then perhaps your company owns it. You do not.”
Maren almost replied, but Wade interrupted.
“Can we avoid another argument?”
Maren studied him carefully.
“You believe I should sign this?”
“It is symbolic.”
“No. It is insulting.”
Lorraine’s eyes narrowed.
“What is insulting is watching my son support a woman who refuses to behave like part of his family.”
Maren felt something inside her become still.
Wade said nothing.
Lorraine continued.
“You arrived with a child, a vague business, and no respectable connections. Wade gave you stability. He gave Elsie a father. The least you can do is contribute.”
Maren looked toward Wade again.
He stared at the floor.
She waited for him to defend Elsie.
He remained silent.
“Say something,” Maren said.
Wade sighed.
“Mom could have chosen better words.”
“Is that all?”
“What do you want me to do? Throw her out?”
Maren looked around the dining room. The chandelier, curtains, table, paintings, and silver had all been purchased by her. Yet she suddenly felt like an unwanted guest.
Elsie appeared in the doorway wearing her school uniform and holding her stuffed rabbit.
“Mom, are we moving?”
Maren’s heart tightened.
“Why would you ask that?”
Elsie looked at Lorraine.
“Grandma said people who don’t pay rent have to leave.”
Wade finally looked alarmed.
“Mom, you said that to her?”
“I explained a basic fact about responsibility.”
“She is eight,” Maren said.
“She is old enough to understand consequences.”
Elsie’s eyes filled with tears.
“Where will we sleep?”
Maren crossed the room and knelt beside her.
“You will always have a home.”
Lorraine pushed the contract forward.
“Then sign.”
Maren rose slowly.
“No.”
May you like
Lorraine’s lips tightened.
“Then leave.”
