Page 71 of Dare to Trust

We both lean our heads closer to him. “What?”

He nods. “Yes, $536,027 and Rowan Marshall. He tips his head to Rowan. You are indeed the beneficiary.”

“Cash?” Rowan asks.

“Yes, it is a standard high yield savings account.”

“When was this opened?”

“Uh…. hmm…looks like around eight years ago…ah yes, June 3.”

I look at Rowan. That would be the day after his 10th birthday. “Did something happen on your 10th birthday?”

“No, I can’t…” He pulls the envelope from his pocket, but shoves it back in.

“She made regular deposits, almost weekly, it looks like.” The manager continues. “I’m happy to print out statements if you like?”

I shake my head. “I think we’re good for now.” I can see Rowan’s hand gripping the envelope in his pocket. Like it must hold the answer somehow.

“She never told you this?” I ask.

“No, of course not.” He looks at me. His face still wearing the stupefied look we both got when we heard the balance in the account.

She knew I was always sending money to dad. Maybe she was afraid he would end up with all of it…she knew enough to stash money away for her son. I turn back to the manager. “What address did she use?”

The manager looks at the screen again. “A PO box.”

I pull the key out of my pocket. That explains this.

“I wonder where she got the money to even do this without him knowing.” Rowan says.

“Maybe she explains in the letter?”

He swallows and pulls the now crumpled envelope out of his pocket.

“Rowan, you don’t have to read it now. Take your time. There is no rush.”

We walk out of the bank into the bright sun.

“There are two more accounts. Do you think they have the same amount?” Rowan asks.

I shake my head. “No idea. We’ll figure it out, though.” Chicago. We’re going to have to go to Chicago, dammit.

“I can you pay back now.”

“What? Hell no, you are never paying me back. The money for you…that money was never a loan. And the college fund is still yours.”

I step around to get into the car when I see him staring wide-eyed down the street. I follow his eyes to the ice cream shop on the corner.

“Every week,” he looks at the ice cream shop and then at the bank. “We got ice cream there every week. As a kid, I was all in for the ice cream. As I got holder and she got sick…it was our time together. Dad only came one time. I remember that one. She was uncomfortable. She didn’t order the same ice cream as she usually did. I was too young to really tune in, but I could tell something was off that night. They fought when we got home that night. I was pissed at him…that’s when I really started to pay attention. He never came with us again.”

We get in the car and Rowan pulls the envelope out again.

“Did you guys ever go to Chicago?”

He smiles and nods, the pieces of the puzzle falling together. “Yep, she went to see a doctor there when she got her first diagnosis. And Denver, well, we visited you a few times.”

“Still doesn’t explain where the money came from.”

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