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“Could have fooled me,” Kyle replied. “What cards? What money?”

“She sent you a birthday card and a Christmas card every year. Then, your father told her about Jolie, and they came for her, too, but nothing ever for me.”

“You said she never–”

“I lied. I knew if I gave you the cards, you’d want to buy toys or something, but I needed that money to take care of you.”

“You took our money, Mom?” Kyle asked, nearly in tears now.

“It wasmymoney.” Her mother seethed. “And you didn’t deserve it.”

“I was a kid, Mom,” Kyle replied. “How long did she send–”

“Every year until this past one.”

“You took money from us that we could have used for college or rent?”

“I didn’t get to go to college,” her mother said. “I was kicked out because of you.”

“No, Mom; you got kicked out because ofyou. You got pregnant a second time, and you couldn’t get another abortion, so you tried to kill me by drinking.”

“What?” her mother asked, looking a little shocked.

“Yeah, I know the whole story now. They took you to the hospital to make sure I was okay, and you booked it. You convinced Dad to run with you, didn’t you? You conned Jolie into telling you that Grandma left us money, and you conned him into going with you back then. You were a mess, and I don’t understand it, butyouran, Mom. They didn’t kick you out. They tried with you, and you left. How dare you come in here telling me this is your house and your money? You had problems. I don’t know why, but you did, and you got pregnant. You tried to drink me away, Mom. How could you do that and then spend all these years blaming me, making me feel like it was all my fault?” Kyle wiped tears from her cheeks. “How could you?”

“Because I deserved more!” her mother yelled. “And you and my fucking parents conspired against me.”

“No one conspired against…” Kyle faded out, knowing it wasn’t worth it to argue with this woman. “Mom, you need help.”

“I need money, Kyle. Once I get the money I should have had all along, I’ll be fine.”

“No, you’ll be drunk and high, too, probably,” Kyle replied. “And I’m not giving you anything. Once Jolie and I get the money and it’s split down the middle, if she wants to give you something, that’s up to her, but I’m going to tell her not to, and you’re not getting anything from me.”

“I’m your mother, Kyle.”

“You treated your own mother like absolute shit, and you’re trying to play that card withmeright now? It won’t work, Mom. I’m too tired. I’m not going to argue with you. This property belongs to me and Jolie, and you’re trespassing. I want you to leave.”

“This is my house,” her mother replied.

“No, it’s not. It’s mine. I’ll call the attorney and prove it to you if you want, but it’s mine, and I don’t want you here.”

“I didn’t want you at all,” her mother argued.

Kyle froze. Despite every bad thing this woman had ever said to her, she’d never said those words directly before.

“Please go,” Kyle told her, wiping another tear from her cheek.

“I’m not leaving town, Kyle. I’ll fight this.”

“Fine. Just go,” Kyle replied, opening the door.

Her mother looked around again before she marched out in a huff.

CHAPTER 24

“Why are you still here?” Jill asked.

“I’m taking the deposit to the bank tonight, so I have to wait until the cash drawer is closed,” Melinda replied.