Brittany noticed the folder immediately.
“I really hope we don’t have to turn this into some huge family war,” she said.
I opened the folder.
“I don’t either.”
Ethan leaned forward.
“Mom, we can explain.”
“Good.”
I slid the first page toward them.
“Start here.”
The color drained from Brittany’s face as she scanned the highlighted transactions.
She pointed at one.
“That was groceries for when the kids were here.”
“They were at your house.”
She moved to another.
“That was Lily’s school stuff.”
“Did you ask me to pay for it?”
“No, but—”
“Then it wasn’t yours to charge.”
Ethan rubbed both hands over his face.
“How much is all of it?”
“I know how much the unauthorized charges total.
More importantly, I know how long this has been happening.”
Brittany crossed her arms.
“You make it sound like we stole from you.”
I held her gaze.
“What word would you prefer for using someone’s payment information without permission?”
Her arms slowly uncrossed.
Ethan looked at the table.
That was when I understood something else.
For years, I had protected him from discomfort simply because he was my son.
When he forgot a birthday, I made excuses.
When he assumed I would babysit, I rearranged my day.
When Brittany became demanding, I told myself young parents were overwhelmed.
Each excuse had taught them the same lesson.
Paula will absorb it.
Not anymore.
“I’m not asking you to agree with my feelings,” I said.
“I’m telling you what changes now.”
Ethan finally looked up.
“What changes?”
“My financial information is private.
The card is canceled.
Passwords are changed.
Nothing belonging to me gets used unless I explicitly say yes.”
He nodded slowly.
“And the kids?”
“I’m their grandmother.”
Brittany immediately said, “Exactly.”
I turned toward her.
“Not your employee.”
She went quiet.
“I will spend time with Lily and Noah because I love them.
Sometimes I may pick them up.
Sometimes I may watch them.
Sometimes I may say no.
You will ask.
