Part 2: What They Took From My Family
My stomach twisted.
“Know what?”
She glanced toward the corridor.
“Your mother told me you wanted her to take control of everything while you were away.”
I sat down next to her.
“What do you mean?”
“She took my phone whenever I tried to call you. She said I was making you anxious and distracting you from work.”
My hands went cold. Natalie went on.
“Mallory used my debit card. They borrowed my car. And whenever I asked for help with Miles, your mother said I needed to learn to manage on my own.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her heartbroken expression answered before her words did.
“I tried. Every time I called, someone was standing beside me. Yesterday, your mom told me you’d complained that I was being too demanding.”
I stared at her.
“I never said that.”
“I know that now.”
She glanced at Miles.
“But after three days of barely sleeping, I started wondering whether you were disappointed in me.”
I held her gently.
“Natalie, listen to me. You and Miles are the most important people in my life. Nothing about this is your fault.”
Too overwhelmed to speak, she leaned against me while Miles slept between us.
After getting Natalie and Miles settled comfortably, I confronted Beverly and Mallory in the living room. Mom stood by the kitchen counter, and my sister held her phone.
“We need to talk,” I said.
Beverly sighed.
“I assume Natalie has been complaining.”
“She told me what happened.”
“She’s emotional, Wesley. New mothers often are.”
I shook my head.
“Being exhausted doesn’t mean she’s imagining things.”
Mallory rolled her eyes.
“We gave up four days to help your family. A little appreciation would be nice.”
“You used her debit card without checking with me.”
“She said I could borrow it.”
“Then show me what you bought.”
Mallory hesitated, and Beverly stepped in.
“I told her it was fine.”
“It wasn’t your decision.”
Mom stared at me.
“I’m your mother.”
“And Natalie is my wife. Miles is my son.”
The room went silent. I asked why Beverly had discouraged my wife’s calls. She looked away.
“You were under pressure at work. I was protecting you.”
“By making my wife believe I didn’t want to hear from her?”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“No, Mom. I’m finally listening to what happened while I wasn’t here.”
Mallory grabbed her purse.
“This is ridiculous. We’re being treated like strangers.”
I looked at them both.
“You promised to care for Natalie and Miles. Instead, you made decisions for them, used their belongings, and kept me from understanding what was happening.”
Beverly narrowed her eyes.
“After everything I’ve done for you, you’re choosing her over your own mother?”
I answered calmly.
“I’m choosing to protect my family. You should have wanted that for me.”
The next morning, Natalie and I went through our statements. Besides the $340 electronics purchase, there were smaller restaurant and store charges. Mallory had spent the grocery money on herself. Nearly $600 had been spent without Natalie’s informed consent.
When I called her, Mallory first denied it, then admitted Beverly had approved the spending.
“Mom said you could afford it,” she explained.
“That’s not the point, Mallory.”
“I was going to pay you back.”
“Then you can start now.”
Mallory had nothing left to say. I called the bank, arranged a new debit card for Natalie, and changed the security settings so neither woman could make those purchases again.
I also demanded our house key. Beverly refused at first.
“You’re seriously taking a key away from your own mother?”
“I’m asking you to respect our home.”
In the end, she set it on the table without looking at me. I changed the locks anyway, not to punish her, but to give Natalie back her sense of safety.
