That Was Not the Reaction Their Parents Expected

Emma had spent the entire drive over wondering whether Michael already knew.

Maybe he had complained.

Maybe he believed Grandma had treated him unfairly.

Maybe this entire conversation had started with him.

Apparently not.

Michael picked up the transfer form.

“You filled this out?”

Their father said:

“We were going to discuss it as a family.”

Michael looked at Emma.

“Did you agree to this?”

“No.”

He dropped the paper back on the table.

“Then there is nothing to discuss.”

Linda became frustrated.

“Michael, you don’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly.”

“No, you don’t. You have two children to think about.”

Michael laughed.

“So?”

His mother looked stunned.

“So this money could help your family.”

“Mom, it isn’t my money.”

But There Was More to It

Emma thought that would end the argument.

Instead, Michael asked a question.

“Why exactly do you need Emma to give me sixty thousand dollars?”

Their father immediately responded:

“We don’t need anything.”

Michael stared at him.

“That wasn’t my question.”

Linda became defensive.

“We’re trying to help you.”

Michael leaned against the counter.

“I never told you I needed sixty grand.”

“You’ve talked about how expensive the house is.”

“Everybody complains about their mortgage.”

“You said you wanted to renovate the basement.”

Michael actually laughed.

“You tried to take Emma’s inheritance because I mentioned a basement?”

Nobody answered.

Then Michael’s expression changed.

“Wait.”

He looked at his parents.

“What did you tell Grandma?”

The room went quiet.

Emma frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Michael looked at her.

“Grandma called me about money six months before she died.”