Chapter 3 - The Cost of IngratitudeTwo weeks later...
Garrett stormed into his attorney's office carrying a stack of unpaid bills.
"What do you mean she stopped everything?"
The attorney adjusted his glasses.
"Mr. Whitmore..."
"Your mother wasn't simply helping."
"She was financing nearly half of your household."
Garrett stared in disbelief.
"My business loan..."
"She guaranteed it."
"My truck lease?"
"She paid it."
"The kids' tuition?"
"Also her."
"And the house?"
The attorney slid one document across the desk.
Garrett's face turned pale.
"The occupancy agreement gives your mother the legal right to live in the property for the rest of her life."
"You cannot charge her rent."
"You cannot evict her."
"If you interfere..."
"You could lose the property entirely."
Garrett sank into the chair.
Meanwhile...
Collection notices began arriving.
Without Rhonda's financial support, Garrett's struggling business quickly fell behind.
Celeste's shopping habits became impossible to maintain.
Credit cards reached their limits.
The expensive vacations stopped.
Luxury memberships were canceled.
The "perfect life" they had built had rested almost entirely on Rhonda's quiet generosity.
None of them had ever noticed.
Spring arrived.
Garrett finally drove to Rhonda's cottage.
He stood awkwardly on the porch holding a bouquet of flowers.
She opened the door.
"Mom..."
"I'm sorry."
She looked into his eyes.
"For what?"
He lowered his head.
"For everything."
She invited him inside.
They sat in silence for several minutes.
Finally Garrett spoke.
"I didn't realize how much you were doing."
Rhonda nodded.
"That's the problem."
"Love isn't supposed to go unnoticed."
"It's supposed to be appreciated."
He wiped away tears.
"I want to fix this."
She answered gently.
May you like
"You can."
"But trust grows much slower than it breaks."
