Chapter 3
All these years, I'd been barely holding it together, always having a hard time in front of Rachel due to money. Charles and Frank knew it well.
And now, with me showing up at May's place, Charles still had the guts to ask why I was here.
I slapped him right across the face.
"If I hadn't come here, I never would've realized that the son I poured my heart into raising could turn out to be such a heartless backstabber," I sneered.
I wiped the cake off his face with a mocking smirk and smeared it right into his mouth.
Then, I added, "Charles, your wife is lying in the hospital after losing the baby, and you're here, having the time of your life, watching your dad dance with that manipulative homewrecker?
"Today is the day your son died, and you're still in the mood to throw a birthday party for her?"
Charles covered his face, unable to say a word.
Frank stepped in front of Charles. "What are you talking about? Because that poor kid died, you think we should all burn in hell, huh?
"Besides, why did Rachel lose the baby? Because you're stingy and refused to pay for a postpartum doula for her."
May, looking a bit embarrassed, tugged at my arm. "Grace, look at this mess. It's just a postpartum doula, right? If you couldn't afford it, you could've told me.
"I watched Charles grow up, you know. I'd gladly pay for a postpartum doula for his wife and baby.
"Honestly, you're going backwards as you get older. You used to be so carefree when you were young. Why are you so penny-pinching now? No wonder Rachel resents you."
I was absolutely livid.
This bitch had been holding onto my pension, and now she had the nerve to call me penny-pinching?
I grabbed the broom by her door and started beating her with it. "I'm penny-pinching? I started working at a railroad when I was eighteen and busted my ass my whole life to get this pension.
"But I never got to use it myself. Instead, you, a pretentious bitch, got to enjoy it. And you still have the nerve to pretend to be generous in front of me.
"Charles has been married for seven years, and my pension is 3,200 dollars a month. You old leech, you've been living the good life off my pension for over 260,000 dollars, haven't you?
"Give me back my money. Now! If you don't, I swear I'll call the cops and have you arrested."
May let out a whimper and collapsed into Frank's arms. "Frank, can you believe this?"
Frank held her close, shielding her. "I gave her the card. She's got no kids, and her husband ditched her. She's all alone.
"And what's the difference if the money goes to her or Rachel? It's not like you get to use it.
"Rachel treats you like crap anyway. If you ask me, it's good the money didn't go to her. She couldn't keep a baby. She's a total failure."
Charles stepped in front of May, too. "Mom, Aunt May isn't like you. She's got expensive taste, you know. She needs the money way more than you or Rachel."
I couldn't believe my ears.
Because May didn't have a pension, didn't have a family, and loved to splurge, my pension should be hers by default?
Who on earth would accept such nonsense?
The neighbors watching were as shocked as I was.
"Seriously? Is that how it works now? Kid, I'm out here picking up trash every single day. If you ask me, I need the money way more than May. So, how much are you planning to sponsor me each month?"
"Right! My husband passed away early, so I've been both mom and dad to my kids. I need the money more than anyone. Why not hand the pension over to me then?"
Charles's face flushed. "Picking up trash? That's because you were lazy when you were young. Raising kids alone? That's your bad luck, not my problem.
"Aunt May and my dad go way back. She's basically family, closer to me than my mom. Forget my mom's pension. When Aunt May gets old, it's only right I look after her and make sure she's taken care of till the very end."
My heart dropped as I watched Charles acting so self-righteous, and suddenly, I felt like my whole life was all for nothing.
Did he understand?
The only reason I agreed to let Frank give my pension to Rachel was that I loved him.
If it weren't for him, I would've divorced Frank ages ago, back when Frank stopped supporting the family and started giving me the cold shoulder.
And now, Charles was saying he'd look after May until her dying day.
If that was what he wanted, then I'd give up and let May be his mother.
After paying the people I hired, I took a cab straight to a law firm.
Once I'd talked through the lawsuit with the lawyer, had my card frozen, and handed the new card number over to the payroll office, I finally dragged my exhausted self back to the hospital.