The amount was small compared with the medical expense, but the date was years after the clinic had closed my mother’s file.
The description read: Bennett, Claire — future assistance, if requested.
I felt a chill move through me.
“My father set aside money for you,” Alexander said.
“Did he expect me to use it?”
“I don’t know.”
“He didn’t tell you.”
“No.”
Daniel studied the ledger entry.
“It may have been an internal note rather than a separate fund,” he said. “We’ll need the supporting
documents.”
I leaned closer.
At the bottom of the page was a second line in my mother’s handwriting.
Please do not tell Claire unless she asks.
The room fell silent.
It was the same request she had made in the note Margaret found.
My mother had known about the money.
She had known about the possibility of future help.
And she had still chosen not to tell me.
