Vanessa.
I stared at the screen before opening the message.
Leah, we need you to transfer $3,500 today for the penthouse HOA fees.
Jared says you still have access to the emergency savings account.
Please handle this before noon.
I read it twice.
No How was the drive?
No Did you arrive safely?
No Are you all right?
Just a bill.
Another message arrived.
We also need to discuss some upcoming assessment fees.
Thomas obviously expected the family to share expenses.
I laughed.
It wasn’t a pleasant sound.
For years, Jared and I had maintained a joint emergency account.
The money came from two separate contributions: fifteen thousand dollars I had saved over many years and fifteen thousand dollars Jared had deposited after receiving a bonus.
It was intended for genuine family emergencies.
Hospital bills.
Unexpected travel.
Something catastrophic.
Apparently, Vanessa believed a luxury condominium’s monthly maintenance charge qualified.
