Chapter 5: The Man Who Signed Without Reading
Quentin sat in his mother's living room with the insurance documents spread across the coffee table.
Marva had changed into her favorite silk robe and brought him a plate of food.
She placed it beside him.
“Eat something, baby. You haven't had a proper meal.””
He didn't touch it.
“Did I sign this?””
Marva glanced at the page.
“Probably.””
“Probably?””
“You sign things all the time.””
Quentin pointed to the signature.
“That's my name.””
“Exactly.””
“When did I sign it?””
Marva sat opposite him.
“Last month, when you came over.””
“I came over to fix your television.””
“You were at my house for two hours.””
“That doesn't answer my question.””
She folded her hands.
“Quentin, I was helping you.””
He pushed the document toward her.
“This authorizes you to handle insurance payments on our house.””
“Yes.””
“And it directs the money into your personal account.””
Marva lifted her chin.
“I was going to make sure the money was safe.””
“Why wouldn't it be safe in the account Simone and I use?””
“Because Simone would spend it.””
Quentin stared at her.
“On what?””
“Her little projects. Her family. Whatever she thinks she needs.””
He shook his head.
“You're talking about my wife.””
“And you're forgetting who raised you.””
Marva stood and walked toward the fireplace.
“When your father died, I had nothing. Nothing, Quentin. I worked two jobs to keep a roof over your head.
I went without food so you could eat. I stayed up nights when you were sick.””
Quentin looked at her.
“I know.””
“No, you don't. You were a child. You don't remember the sacrifices.””
“I remember.””
“Then you should understand why I deserve some security.””
He looked down at the documents.
“Mom, the insurance money belongs to the house.””
“And the house is part of our family.””
“Our family means Simone and Nyla, too.””
Marva turned.
“Simone has her own family.””
The sentence landed heavily.
Quentin stood.
“She is my family.””
Marva's eyes filled with tears.
“After everything I've done, you're going to stand there and defend her?””
“I'm asking why you put your bank account on our insurance paperwork.””
“Because I thought you would trust me!””
“I did trust you.””
His voice cracked slightly.
“That's the problem.””
Marva wiped her eyes.
Then her expression changed.
“Fine. If that's how you feel, go back to your wife. Let her control everything. See how long it takes before she turns you against your own mother.””
Quentin looked at her for a long moment.
Then he picked up his phone.
“I need to call the insurance company.””
Marva immediately stood.
“Don't.””
He paused.
“Why?””
“It's after business hours.””
“Then I'll call in the morning.””
“You don't need to involve them.””
“Why not?””
She walked toward him.
“Because I can explain everything.””
“Then explain it now.””
Marva's voice dropped.
“I used some of the money.””
Quentin went still.
“How much?””
“Not all of it.””
“How much?””
She looked away.
“Twenty thousand.””
His stomach turned.
“Twenty thousand dollars?””
“I had expenses.””
“What expenses?””
Marva took a breath.
“My house needed work. The roof was leaking. The plumbing was old. I needed to make some repairs.””
Quentin stared at her.
“You used our flood insurance money to repair your house?””
“I was going to pay it back.””
“With what?””
She didn't answer.
He picked up his overnight bag.
“I'm leaving.””
Marva rushed toward him.
“Quentin, don't you dare walk out on me.””
He stopped.
She grabbed his sleeve.
“I did everything for you!””
He gently pulled his arm away.
“And what did you do for Nyla?””
Marva blinked.
“What?””
“She's six years old, Mom. She was sitting in a shelter freezing while you were making sure I had a warm bed.””
“That's not fair.””
“She asked me if I was coming home.””
Marva folded her arms.
“You can see her tomorrow.””
He shook his head.
“No. I should have stayed tonight.””
He walked toward the door.
Marva followed.
“Quentin! If you leave now, don't expect me to keep doing things for you!””
He stopped with his hand on the doorknob.
Then he looked back.
“Mom, I never asked you to steal from my family.””
He left.
At Marcus's house, Simone was putting Nyla's lunchbox away when her phone rang.
Quentin.
She stared at the screen.
Marcus looked over.
“You don't have to answer.””
“I know.””
She answered.
“What?””
“Simone, I need to talk to you.””
“About what?””
“Mom used some of the insurance money.””
Simone closed her eyes.
“How much?””
“Twenty thousand.””
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
“Twenty thousand dollars that was supposed to repair our house?””
“I know.””
“Do you?””
“Simone, I'm trying to fix this.””
She let out a slow breath.
“Quentin, I need you to understand something. This isn't just about the money.””
“I know I made a mistake.””
“You made several.””
He was silent.
Then he said, “I'm coming over.””
Simone glanced toward the stairs.
“Nyla is asleep.””
“I won't wake her.””
“That's not what I'm worried about.””
He hesitated.
“Please. I need to explain.””
Simone looked at Marcus.
He gave her a small nod.
“Fine,” she said.
“Come alone.””
She ended the call.
Marcus leaned against the counter.
“You sure about this?””
“No.””
She picked up the folder again.
“But I need answers.””
Marcus pointed to the signature on the authorization.
“There's something else you should know.””
“What?””
He pulled a printed email from the folder.
It was dated three weeks before the flood.
The sender was Marva.
The recipient was Quentin.
The subject line read:
About the house and the insurance.
Simone read the first sentence.
Then she read it again.
Her face went pale.
Marva had written:
Once the payment comes through, we can finally put our plan into motion. Simone doesn't need to know until everything is settled.
Simone slowly looked up.
“What plan?””
Marcus didn't answer.
He pointed to the bottom of the email.
There was a reply from Quentin.
May you like
Five words.
I trust you, Mom. Proceed.
