Chapter 6 - THE DAY THE HOUSE WENT UP FOR SALE
Eleven months after Daniel left, Joanna received an unexpected letter.
The mortgage payment was overdue.
Then another.
Then a notice from the bank.
Daniel had promised to keep paying the mortgage while they worked through the separation.
He had not.
When Joanna called, he sounded irritated.
“I've had some financial problems.”
“What kind?”
“Expenses.”
“Daniel, this is our home.”
“I know.”
“The children live here.”
“I said I'll handle it.”
But he didn't.
Joanna met with her attorney.
Reviewed the finances.
And made a decision she had been avoiding for months.
She would sell the house.
The place where Owen had taken his first steps.
Where Lucy had learned to ride a bicycle.
Where Joanna had painted the kitchen yellow because Daniel said it made the mornings feel warmer.
The house was filled with memories.
But memories couldn't pay a mortgage.
When Joanna told the children, Lucy cried.
Owen said nothing.
Later that evening, he found his mother packing books.
“Mom?”
She looked up.
“Yes?”
“Are we moving because Dad doesn't want us anymore?”
Joanna's heart broke.
“No, sweetheart.”
“Then why?”
She sat beside him.
“Because sometimes adults make decisions that change things.”
Owen looked down.
“Is it because he doesn't send enough money?”
Joanna froze.
Her son was ten.
He shouldn't have known that.
He shouldn't have been listening to financial conversations.
He shouldn't have been carrying adult worries.
She took his hand.
“Owen, money is my responsibility. Not yours.”
He nodded.
Then whispered:
“I can stop soccer.”
Joanna began crying.
“No.”
“I don't need new shoes.”
She pulled him into her arms.
“Owen, listen to me.”
He looked up.
“You are allowed to be a kid.”
His face crumpled.
“But somebody has to help you.”
May you like
Joanna held him tightly.
And silently promised herself that her children would never again have to wonder whether they were too expensive to love.
