Margaret whipped her head around to stare at her son, her jaw dropping in utter disbelief. “David? Is this true? You told me your firm was thriving!”
“Mom, I can explain—” David started, his voice cracking as he fumbled through the papers spilling out of the folder, revealing thousands of dollars in past-due notices and collection warnings that I had intercepted and paid off quietly behind his back.
“You don’t need to explain anything to her,” I interrupted, adjusting the brim of my hat. “Because as of 2:19 this morning, I did something very interesting. I removed myself as the authorized co-signer on your primary checking account. I revoked my salary direct deposit from this household’s joint ledger. And most importantly, I called our mortgage lender and the utility companies to inform them that I am legally separating my finances and vacating the premises.”
The silence in the kitchen became absolute. The hum of the refrigerator suddenly sounded deafening.
“You… you can’t do that!” Margaret shrieked, her face turning a mottled shade of purple. “You are his wife! You are supposed to support him through thick and thin! How are we supposed to pay the property taxes? How is David supposed to maintain his car?”
“That,” I said, picking up my briefcase and walking toward the front door, “is entirely between David, his creditors, and whatever pride he has left.”
I paused at the threshold, turning back one last time to look at the two people who thought they could break me with a pair of electric clippers.
