Chapter 15 - Charles’s version of love
My father was harder.
Victoria acted.
Charles funded.
He believed money was neutral.
“If someone has a medical bill because Arthur behaved badly, paying it is responsible.”
Yes.
“If property is damaged, repair it.”
Yes.
“If a person needs a lawyer, hire one.”
Sometimes.
His mistake was believing restitution ended responsibility.
We met alone.
He brought a spreadsheet.
Of course.
“A.L. matters.”
I looked.
He winced at the title.
“I see it now.”
“Do you?”
“Maybe.”
He went line by line.
College legal fees.
$21,400.
Lease resolution.
$13,600.
Emma support and property.
About $15,000.
Valet/property matter.
$11,800.
Workplace lawyer.
$18,000.
Therapy programs.
More than $20,000 across years.
Other legal consultations.
Insurance deductibles.
Miscellaneous.
He said:
“I thought I was making people whole.”
“Some of them.”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever ask why you kept having to?”
He looked down.
“No.”
There.
“Why?”
“Because if I asked that, I would have to admit the help wasn’t working.”
My father had built a career repairing bones.
He understood intervention.
But family injury made him behave like a billing department.
Pay.
May you like
Close file.
Next.
