Chapter 5 - The First Shockwave Hits Home
It was 11:45 AM when my phone rang.
The caller ID flashed "Mother."
I pressed accept,
keeping my face completely neutral as I sat in the hospital waiting lounge.
"Vance!"
Margaret’s screeching voice practically blew out the speaker.
"What in God's name is happening at the bank?!"
I leaned back in the plush leather chair,
my voice a calm, steady baritone.
"What are you talking about,
Mom?"
"My card was declined at the boutique!"
she yelled,
panic bleeding through her faux-outraged tone.
"And when I called the bank,
some automated system told me all primary accounts associated with my name and Paige’s name have been placed under an emergency federal compliance freeze!"
"Is that right?"
I asked mildly.
"Did you commit fraud or something?"
"Don't play games with me,
young man!"
Margaret shrieked,
her voice cracking.
"You’re the one who sends the military deposits!
Did you do something to our accounts?
How are we supposed to pay for the kitchen renovations?
How is Paige supposed to make the monthly payment on her new truck?!"
"That's interesting,"
I replied smoothly.
"You're worried about kitchen renovations and a truck,
while the money I sent to support my wife vanished into thin air."
Silence fell over the line for three agonizing seconds.
Margaret's voice dropped an octave,
suddenly defensive and venomous.
"Oh,
so that bald parasite finally got to you,
did she?
She lied to you,
Vance!
She wasted your money on gambling and secret debts!
We had to bail her out just to keep a roof over our heads!"
"Really?"
I countered softly.
"Because the bank records show every single wire transfer deposited into an account co-owned by you and Paige.
And the property registry shows the house is entirely in Paige's name,
purchased with funds originating from my deployment pay."
Margaret choked on her own breath.
"That...
that's a lie!
Family helps family!
You owe us!
We raised you!"
"You didn't raise me,"
I said,
every word cutting like a razor blade.
"You raised a bank account.
And as of this morning,
that account has been permanently closed."
"Vance!
You listen to me right now—"
I hung up the phone.
May you like
I didn't block her number yet;
I wanted her to feel the mounting panic of a sinking ship with no lifeboats left.
