Chapter 6 - The Money Mom Took
Mom asked to see me again.
I allowed the social worker to stay.
This time I did not ask questions first.
I placed the trust statement on the table.
Sixty eight thousand dollars.
Her face collapsed.
“It isn’t what it looks like.”
“That sentence should be illegal.”
“Emma.”
“What was it?”
She sat.
“After your father died, we were drowning.”
“With life insurance?”
“Medical bills.”
“Trust paid some.”
“Not everything.”
She explained.
Mortgage.
Taxes.
Her reduced work hours.
Therapy for me after Dad died.
Caleb? He was her later child with Daniel? Actually Daniel stepfather for four years, Caleb 10 means younger brother maybe full/half from mom's earlier relationship? Let's say Caleb is Mom's son from brief later relationship? Hmm user says younger brother, Daniel stepfather, could be full brother? Father Andrew died when Emma 12, Caleb was 4, so yes Andrew could be Caleb's father too. Great. Both children. Trust perhaps primarily Emma? Could be father created separate trust, Caleb's portion at older age? Let's keep trust was specifically larger share to Emma due beneficiary design? But father would include Caleb. Maybe he created two trusts. Need make sense. Let's clarify: Andrew's life insurance was divided, Caleb has separate protected trust not controlled until later. Emma's trust comes from an inheritance from maternal? Hmm. Better: Andrew was Emma’s biological father but not Caleb's? Caleb 10, father died when Emma 12, could be from Daniel? Daniel has been stepfather 4 years, so no. Could be Caleb's father is another man not important. Fine. Keep separate.
Mom said Ray offered to help with repairs.
He billed trust.
Then returned “discounts” to her.
She knew that was wrong?
“At first I thought they were legitimate rebates.”
Then later?
She knew.
She used money to pay mortgage.
Credit cards.
One vacation to Wisconsin Dells.
“I was scared Stonebridge would stop distributions.”
“So you hid it.”
“Yes.”
“When did Ray start giving me pills?”
She closed eyes.
“Last year.”
“Why?”
“You were asking about trust.”
There.
Not panic alone.
I had turned seventeen.
Started asking what Dad left.
Mom became defensive.
Ray said I was “obsessing.”
First pill after I found a Stonebridge envelope.
Second after I told Mom I wanted statements when I turned eighteen.
“You knew he gave you something not prescribed?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know what?”
“He said it was a low dose anxiety pill he had been prescribed before.”
“Did you ask a doctor?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you wouldn’t take it if I told you.”
My anger sharpened.
“That should have answered whether you should give it to me.”
She cried.
“I know.”
Then the current poisoning.
“I did not do it.”
I believed her more now.
Because the recording showed refusal.
“Did Ray have access to my drink?”
“Yes.”
“Did he come near me while I slept?”
“I don’t know.”
“Was he alone in the living room?”
“For a few minutes.”
Then Mom remembered something.
Ray asked where the bathroom trash was.
Odd.
He said he needed to throw away an old nicotine patch from a friend? He didn't smoke. She thought nothing.
Then Caleb told Aunt Nicole he saw Ray touching my hoodie while I slept.
He thought Ray was pulling hair off it.
That placed him near my neck.
Police had enough for a search warrant.
They searched Ray’s apartment and truck.
Found prescription medications not issued in his name.
Some belonged to an elderly client.
Ray had worked in her house after storm damage.
She reported medications missing months earlier but assumed misplaced.
Police also found unused adhesive medication patches.
Same manufacturer type as backing under our kitchen table.
That did not prove which patch touched me.
Forensic testing would.
Then a notebook.
Ray’s handwriting.
Dates.
My episodes.
Thanksgiving.
Barbecue.
Graduation argument.
Beside each:
M.
R.
Amounts of money.
One entry beside last night:
S meeting tomorrow.
M won’t cooperate.
Need delay.
The officer reading it did not interpret out loud.
May you like
He did not need to.
Ray had written my medical collapses like appointments.
