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“You mean, file a civil suit against my own sister? Take her to court?” Stormy shuddered. That sort of painful breach between herself and Nina could never be healed. “I don’t want to do that. I won’t. What am I going to do, Ben? I can’t even get a checking account now or a credit card.” It was hard to breathe. “Every piece of dignity in my life has been taken away. I’m glad my parents aren’t here to see it.”
“I feel bad about this, Stormy. I wish you’d consulted me before you gave Nina your power of attorney. I honored it because, frankly, I thought, perhaps, you were too embarrassed to come in and make arrangements yourself.”
Stormy sighed. “No. That wasn’t it. I thought I was being efficient, taking care of loose ends. Everything had to be done so fast once I was convicted. I didn’t think I was going to be found guilty. Once I was, there was no time for anything.” Though she knew the answer, she had to ask. “So there’s no cash at all available?”
He shook his head. “There isn’t. Truthfully, I stripped every certificate of deposit of interest and every utility stock of dividends in order to give Nina the cash I thought you needed. Your dad left specific instructions. He placed an ironclad ceiling on the amount of money that could be withdrawn from the trust on an annual basis. I’m afraid the advance pushed it to the ceiling, wiping out even the small reserves I hold back in the event either of you has an emergency.”
Stormy was shaking her head in an effort to keep tears at bay. “I’m having an awful time finding work, Ben. I was really counting on—”
He opened a drawer and pulled out his personal checkbook. “I feel worse about this than you do, my dear. I’ve let you down, and I feel like I’ve betrayed the trust your father placed in me. Let me write a check to tide you over, and when you get on your feet…”
Stormy had a thought. “What about Nina’s share of the trust? Has she taken an advance on that income, too?” Ben cleared his throat. “One could make that assumption,” he said with tact and delicacy.
“I can’t go into a bank and cash a check, Ben. I’d be scared to do it.”
“Then allow me to loan you some cash.”
“I need to talk to Nina first. I don’t see how she could blow through both of our annual trust payments in such a short time. I mean we’re living in my parents’ house. No mortgage. Paid for. And Tully has a good job at the golf resort.”
Ben gave her a watery smile. “True, and the estate pays all of the taxes and insurance. I want you to consider allowing me to make you a personal loan. In cash.”
“I’ll consider it, Ben. I will, for Liane’s sake.”
“Do that. And keep me in the loop.” He came from behind his desk and gave her a brief hug. “Your parents would be proud of you, Stormy, in spite of your troubles.”
Moments later, on the way to pick up Liane from school, Stormy was tangled in anger, fear, and panic.
Until now, her brain had offered practical solutions to every obstacle she thought she might encounter once out of prison. She had never considered that one of the obstacles would be her own sister.
She cringed at the thought of having to ask Nina about the trust money. She was doubtful that she could keep her temper in check, and losing it would only put more strain on their deteriorating relationship.
She needed all of the mercy of good angels now. All she had between herself and disaster was a few dollars.
She arrived at the school a few minutes early and found a parking spot at the curb. Behind her, the carpool brigade began to line up. Feeling claustrophobic, she emerged from the Ford and leaned against the side. Her eyes darted to-and-fro, looking for Mangus. No sign of him. Perhaps her earlier warning had its intended effect.
The dismissal bell rang, and teacher monitors and students poured out of the building. When she spied her daughter, Stormy put on a smile.
“How was school?” she asked as she settled the child in the car.
“Same as always. Can we go get a pizza? I’m starving.”
Stormy’s mouth tasted like ash. “I don’t have enough money with me, sweetheart. Let’s eat at home tonight.”
Liane flounced. “We’re poor, aren’t we? Aunt Nina is always complaining there’s not enough money.”
“Let’s just say we’re suffering a temporary setback. I’ll have a job soon, and with my very first paycheck, we’ll go out and eat a mountain of pizza.” She glanced at Liane, discovering the child’s old-young eyes hard on her. “That’s a promise.”
“Are you having a hard time finding work because people are afraid you’ll steal their money?”
Liane had been keeping up with Stormy’s job hunt and had hit upon the truth as Stormy herself had. “I’m beginning to think so,” she answered.
“Does that hurt your feelings?”
“Actually, it does,” she said, amazed at her daughter’s perceptiveness. She had a scary thought and voiced it. “Has anyone been hurting your feelings?”
“Sometimes, but I just pretend not to hear them.”
Stormy felt as if her heart would break. “That’s what I do, too. But if someone is being unkind to you, talk it over with me, okay?”
