Page 237 of Promising You

“He treated me like a granddaughter since the day we met. And Grace did, too. Well, she still does. She has a house in California so she’s coming out to see me this summer.”

“That’s good, honey.” Frank takes a drink of water from the glass by his chair.

“So anyway, they wanted to help me pay for college. I guess I already told you that. But what you don’t know is that they set up a trust fund for me.”

Frank’s eyebrows raise. “To cover your college expenses?”

“Yes, but the money can be used for other things, too. And I, uh . . . I wanted to give some of it to you.”

“No. Absolutely not. You need that money for school, and if you go to medical school, well, that’s very expensive. I still don’t know how I’m going to pay for Ryan’s tuition.”

“That’s why I’m giving this to you. You can pay off Ryan’s loans. And he won’t even need loans for med school. You can just pay for it. You’ll have plenty of money. And you can get him a car that works. One that has air conditioning and doesn’t break down every week. And you can pay off your medical bills.”

“No, that’s too much money. Ryan and I will figure something out. We always do.”

“Just let me do this for you. Please. I never would’ve gone to college if you hadn’t taken me in after my mom died. I would’ve ended up in state custody. Stuck in foster homes. I might not have even graduated from high school.”

“That’s not true, Jade. You’re a very determined, very bright young woman. You would’ve graduated no matter what.”

“Whatever. The point is that you kept me on the right path. And you’ve always taken care of me and treated me like a daughter. Please, Frank. I want to do this for you.”

He sighs. “How much money are you talking about here, because I’m not taking—”

“I have 50 million dollars,” I blurt out. “So you can have as much as you need.”

His jaw drops and he’s speechless, just like I was when I found out.

“I know. It’s a lot of money.”

He clears his throat. “Yes. I thought you were going to say they gave you a million. But 50 million. Wow. You’re set for life, Jade.”

“And I want you and Ryan to be, too.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t accept it. It would be wrong to take your money.”

“It’s not wrong. And don’t think of it as my money. Think of it as the money Royce owed us for what he did to my mom and me. And to you, since you had to support me after my mom died. You bought me clothes and food and let me stay here. I at least owe you money for that.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jade. You don’t owe me anything. You were a child. I was taking care of you just like I took care of Ryan. The money never even crossed my mind.”

“Will you please just take some of this? If you don’t, I’ll mail you a check and if you don’t cash it I’ll keep mailing them until you do.”

He thinks for a moment. “Okay. I’ll use some to pay for Ryan’s tuition.”

I scoot to the end of the couch closer to Frank’s chair. “And get Ryan a car that works. A car he really wants. Not a cheap car or a used car.”

He smiles and pats my hand. “Fine. I’ll get him a car.”

“You can’t tell him this money is from me. Make something up. Say a long lost uncle died and left you five million dollars.”

“Jade, I am not taking five million dollars from you.”

“Yes, you are. That’s nothing. I’ll still have 45 million left.”

“You know I’ll never spend that much money.”

“Then when you die, which I’m not letting you do until you’re at least 110, you can leave whatever’s left to Ryan. Or give him part of it now. It’s yours. Divide it however you want.” I cross my arms across my chest and glare at him. “You’re taking that money, Frank. I won’t take no for an answer.”

He shakes his head. “You’re very stubborn. You always have been.”

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