“And frankly, we need cash right now for something important. Our sweet Emily finally got into school.” Her voice turned syrupy at the mention of her daughter. “She missed the scholarship cutoff by just a couple of points, but we all know how those admissions offices work. So she enrolled in a private law program.”
Emily was Mike’s younger sister, twenty years old, spoiled beyond reason, and the center of Susan’s universe. Susan talked about her like she was headed for the Supreme Court. In reality, Emily had the ambition of a social media influencer and the work ethic of a sleepy cat.
“Well, congratulations to Emily,” I said dryly. “But what does that have to do with selling your house?”
Susan stared at me as if I were slow. “She needs a place to live, obviously. I’m not putting my daughter in some run-down dorm with strangers. So I used the money from the sale as a down payment on a condo.”
Mike blinked. “You bought Emily a condo?”
“Not outright,” Susan said, shifting a little. “It’s a mortgage. But the paperwork is in Emily’s name, which is good. Builds credit.”
At that moment I felt a cold knot tighten in my stomach.
I worked as a procurement manager for a large retail chain. Budgets, forecasts, contracts, cash flow—numbers were my native language. And the numbers were already lining up in my mind in a way I did not like.
“How much is the monthly payment?” I asked quietly.
“Only $2,400 a month for thirty years,” Susan said brightly. “Plus utilities, of course. And it needs some work before she can move in. It’s just bare walls right now.”
“And who exactly is supposed to pay for all that?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
I looked straight at Mike. He was suddenly very interested in the pattern on the tablecloth.
“Who else would pay?” Susan said, honestly baffled. “We’re family. Emily needs to focus on school. She can’t be distracted with work. Law is demanding. And I’m on a fixed income. I barely cover my prescriptions as it is.”
She waved a hand toward us. “You two are young, healthy, and working good jobs. You live near the city. You make real money. Why wouldn’t you help Mike’s sister get started?”
