Chapter 9 - BRIELLE FINALLY TURNED THIRTY-ONE
The birthday that changed our family never actually happened.
Brielle turned thirty in her apartment eating takeout noodles with three friends.
She later told me it was horrible.
Then admitted it was also the first birthday she remembered completely.
No photographer.
No schedule.
No forty guests selected for image.
No orchid wall.
Just people who knew her.
At thirty-one, she invited us to dinner.
Eight people.
Restaurant.
She paid.
I almost fell out of my chair.
After dessert, she handed me an envelope.
Inside was a check.
$11,000.
“What is this?”
“My first repayment.”
“You already participated in the trust settlement.”
“I know.”
“This is different.”
She looked embarrassed.
“You paid for things for me for years that were never part of the accounting.”
“Brielle—”
“No.”
She stopped me.
“I don’t know the total.”
“Neither do I.”
“Good.”
She smiled faintly.
“Then I’m not trying to settle a balance.”
“I’m trying to become someone who pays for her own life.”
I looked at the check.
Then handed it back.
Her face fell.
“Why?”
“Put it toward your student loan.”
“Natalie—”
“I don’t need repayment for every dinner, rent check, or emergency.”
“Then what do you want?”
I thought.
“Next time I say no…”
She waited.
“Believe me the first time.”
Tears filled her eyes.
May you like
“Deal.”
That was worth more than eleven thousand dollars.
