Chapter 14 - THE MONEY GAVIN NEVER CHECKEDThe account had been Gavin’s idea.
A separate checking account for Beatrice’s care.
Home aides.
Therapy copays.
Medical transportation.
Adaptive equipment.
Food supplements.
Anything insurance did not cover.
Gavin transferred money every month.
Monica managed payments because she managed most household scheduling.
He had never checked closely.
Why would he?
Now he did.
At 11:30 one night, after Monica fell asleep, Gavin sat in his home office and opened six months of statements.
At first everything looked normal.
CareWell Home Services.
Physical therapy.
Pharmacy.
Medical supply store.
Then patterns emerged.
CareWell payments remained high even after Rachel mentioned reduced aide hours.
Gavin opened invoices.
Some were legitimate.
Some appeared to be transfers to a household reimbursement account Monica controlled.
He frowned.
He clicked another month.
Same.
Amounts labeled:
CARE EXPENSE.
SUPPLIES.
TRANSPORT.
He opened the household credit-card records.
Designer store.
Home furnishings.
A payment to an online investment platform.
His stomach tightened.
He checked dates.
One “medical transport reimbursement” occurred on a day Gavin himself had driven Beatrice to the neurologist.
Another “caregiver reimbursement” landed on a weekend when Tyler said no aide had visited.
Gavin sat back.
No conclusion yet.
But enough to ask.
The next morning:
“Monica.”
She looked up from coffee.
“What?”
“I need the care receipts.”
“Which?”
“All.”
“Why?”
“I’m reconciling the account.”
Her face changed slightly.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been handling it.”
“I know.”
“Do you think I’m stealing?”
He had not used that word.
“You said it.”
Monica stood.
“I cannot believe this.”
“Then show me receipts.”
“This is because of Tyler.”
“No.”
“Rachel?”
“No.”
“Your mother?”
Gavin looked at her.
“My mother can communicate now.”
Monica froze.
“So?”
“So I’m asking questions.”
Her eyes filled.
“You don’t trust me.”
“I’m asking for receipts.”
“That means you don’t trust me.”
Gavin heard the manipulation clearly this time.
A request for information turned into an accusation against him.
“Maybe I should have checked sooner.”
Monica’s face hardened.
“Fine.”
She opened a drawer.
Threw a folder onto the counter.
“Knock yourself out.”
Gavin spent Saturday sorting it.
By Sunday, he had a list.
Twenty-three thousand dollars over four months he could not clearly connect to Beatrice’s care.
Not enough to bankrupt them.
Enough to matter.
Enough to ask another question.
Why had Monica reduced professional help while still spending the money allocated to professional help?
May you like
Gavin called CareWell.
The answer made his blood turn cold.
Related Stories
