Chapter 11 - THE DEBT COLE DIDN’T TELL HIS MOTHER ABOUTDorothy learned about the debt from Cole, not Sabrina.
That mattered.
He came to her room late.
Alone.
“Can we talk?”
Dorothy nodded.
Cole sat.
“We’re in trouble.”
“How much?”
He looked surprised.
“You knew?”
“I knew enough.”
Cole rubbed his face.
“Sabrina’s investment lost money.”
“How much?”
“About eighty thousand.”
Dorothy remained quiet.
“And?”
“My condo renovation went over by sixty.”
“And?”
“Credit cards.”
“How much?”
He whispered the number.
Dorothy closed her eyes.
Not catastrophic.
But substantial.
“How?”
Cole stared at the floor.
“Lifestyle.”
At least honest.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Pride.”
“Why did you think Rosehaven was the answer?”
“We didn’t at first.”
“But then.”
“Yes.”
Dorothy’s chest hurt.
Cole continued.
“If you sold, you could buy something smaller and still have plenty.”
“And give you money.”
“We thought maybe you’d want to help.”
“Did you ask?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Cole looked ashamed.
“We thought you’d say no.”
Dorothy laughed softly.
“So instead of hearing no, you planned around yes.”
Cole said nothing.
“That is entitlement.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He looked at her.
“I’m trying.”
Dorothy wanted to comfort him.
That instinct remained.
Motherhood was cruel that way.
It continued offering tenderness long after trust had been damaged.
She resisted.
“Debt can be fixed.”
“I know.”
“Character is harder.”
Cole closed his eyes.
“I know.”
“Good.”
May you like
She stood.
“Then start with that.”
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