Chapter 24 - Ashford Street
The Ashford duplex needed real work.
Ironically, after months of fake renovation invoices, the roof finally developed an actual leak.
Rebecca called Marcus.
“We need three bids.”
“I own a construction company.”
“You also own fifty percent of the property and co-manage a trust owning the other fifty.”
“So?”
“So you are not awarding yourself work without competitive bids.”
Marcus smiled.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Immensely.”
He obtained three bids.
His company was not the cheapest.
They hired someone else.
Marcus told the children at dinner.
Caleb laughed for five full minutes.
“You lost your own building.”
“I did not lose it.”
“Nia fired you.”
“Nia is seven.”
“Eight,” Nia corrected.
“Thank you.”
The contractor repaired the roof.
Ashford’s accounts became boring again.
Rent arrived.
Expenses were documented.
Nia’s half flowed into the trust.
Marcus’s half flowed into his property account.
No invented management fees.
No mystery companies.
No one named Kevin.
Boring, Marcus had learned, was beautiful.
That spring Nia’s class had an assignment.
Write about something important your family taught you.
She showed Marcus her paragraph.
My family taught me that if something is wrong, you should tell the truth even if somebody gets sad. My dad says people can do bad things and still be people. My brother says lawyers are expensive. My other brother says volcanoes are stupid.
Marcus laughed.
“Accurate.”
At the bottom Nia had added:
My mom Alana said you should not get smaller for love.
Marcus stared.
“Where did you learn the exact sentence?”
“You told us.”
“I paraphrased.”
“No, you said it.”
He smiled.
“Maybe.”
Nia continued writing.
I think it means people who love you should let you fit in the room.
Marcus had to look away.
A week later Danielle completed the first year of probation without violations.
She had repaid additional fees.
She continued therapy.
She never reopened a business.
Her relationship with Caleb and Jordan improved.
Her relationship with Nia remained cautious.
Once a month, with Dr. Porter’s approval, Nia joined the boys and Danielle for an afternoon outing.
Not because Marcus wanted reconciliation.
Because Nia asked.
The first time, they baked strawberry cupcakes.
Nia brought one home.
“For you.”
“Danielle made it?”
“We all did.”
Marcus took a bite.
“Good.”
“Do you hate it because she helped?”
“No.”
Nia nodded as though confirming a theory.
Then she said, “I think I forgive her a little.”
Marcus kept his reaction small.
“What does that mean to you?”
“That I don’t feel mad every time I see her.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
“But I don’t trust her with money.”
Marcus nearly choked on the cupcake.
Nia grinned.
“Rebecca says that’s healthy.”
Marcus made a mental note to speak to Rebecca about discussing fiduciary policy with eight-year-olds.
Summer approached.
The silver-and-white sneakers were becoming tight.
One evening Nia complained.
“My toes hurt.”
Marcus looked at them.
“You need new shoes.”
She immediately said, “They’re still okay.”
The words were too familiar.
Marcus knelt.
“Nia.”
She looked down.
“What?”
“You don’t have to wear shoes that hurt just because they are not broken yet.”
She stared at him.
Then smiled.
“Can we go to Bellamy’s?”
Marcus felt something move inside his chest.
The same department store.
The same shoe section.
“Sure.”
“Can Caleb and Jordan come?”
“Probably.”
“Danielle too?”
Marcus paused.
“Do you want her there?”
Nia thought.
“Maybe not this time.”
“Okay.”
No guilt.
No explanation.
No punishment.
Just a boundary.
Marcus smiled.
“When do you want to go?”
“Saturday.”
The moment seemed ordinary.
But Marcus knew what Saturday would mean.
May you like
A year after the day someone told his daughter which shoes were not for her, Nia was going back to the same place.
This time she would choose for herself.
