Chapter 7 - Rachel’s first story
Rachel came to Rebecca’s office three days later with her own lawyer.
Good.
Her lawyer was Melissa Grant.
Calm.
Sharp.
Not there to reunite a family.
There to keep Rachel from making legal problems worse.
I respected her immediately.
Rachel’s first formal explanation:
Trent drafted the support letter.
He told Rachel I had verbally agreed to help once they moved in.
He produced the signed PDF.
Rachel assumed he had obtained my signature separately.
She emailed it to Greenbridge.
Rebecca asked:
“Did you speak to your mother before transmitting?”
“No.”
“Did you ask whether she signed?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Rachel’s eyes filled.
“Because Trent said she had.”
Melissa touched Rachel’s arm once.
Not stopping.
Just grounding.
Rebecca continued:
“Had Eleanor agreed to contribute $125,000?”
Rachel hesitated.
“She said she would never let us become homeless.”
I almost laughed.
“When?”
“Last Christmas.”
I remembered.
Rachel had been crying after Trent lost a large contract.
I said:
“You will never be sleeping in your car while I have a roof.”
A mother’s reassurance.
Not a $125,000 capital commitment.
Not twelve months of occupancy.
Rachel looked at me.
“You said it.”
“Yes.”
“You always say words don’t count unless they’re written.”
“That is not what I say.”
“What do you say?”
“Large financial obligations should be written.”
She looked away.
Rebecca asked:
“Did you know your house was seven months delinquent when you sent the support letter?”
“Yes.”
“Did your mother?”
“No.”
“Did you know Greenbridge was relying on Eleanor’s housing support?”
“Yes.”
“Did you intend to move into her home?”
“Yes.”
“With permission?”
Rachel cried.
“I thought we would get permission.”
Before or after?
May you like
That question did not need asking.
We all heard it.
