Chapter 10 - David’s BusinessDavid had secrets too.
Mia discovered one when a letter arrived.
BENNETT CONSTRUCTION — LINE OF CREDIT REVIEW.
She asked:
“Are we broke?”
David laughed nervously.
“No.”
“Dad.”
“Not broke.”
“How bad?”
His construction company had lost two contracts that year.
Cash reserves were low.
He had borrowed against part of their house equity to make payroll.
Mia stared.
“You didn’t tell me.”
“You’re fourteen.”
“That’s your excuse for everything.”
David stopped.
She continued.
“You keep telling everybody truth matters.”
“It does.”
“Except when you decide I can’t handle it.”
He looked away.
She was right.
Not that children needed every financial detail.
But David had turned protection into secrecy too.
He explained enough.
The business was strained.
Their home was not in immediate danger.
He had a plan.
Then Mia asked:
“Would you have taken money from the Parkers?”
David froze.
That question hurt.
“Before the cafeteria?”
“Yes.”
He thought.
“If they offered enough to cover the company?”
Mia waited.
David answered honestly.
“I don’t know.”
That honesty frightened both of them.
And strengthened them.
Because David finally understood Aaron Blake’s father.
Not forgave.
Understood.
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Desperation created openings.
Powerful people exploited them.
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