“Are you okay?”

“I’m at Grandma’s. I found something.”

When Evan and I arrived, Chloe was sitting on the porch holding a blue folder.

“I found this in Grandma’s filing cabinet.”

“You shouldn’t take her things, Chloe.”

“I know. But Grandma told Mom to destroy it. I heard them.”

The label on the front read:

EVAN MERCER — CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT.

Inside were bank statements, dealership documents, and handwritten notes.

The account originally contained $52,000.

Then there was a withdrawal.

$34,800.

Paid directly to a vehicle dealership.

I recognized the dealership immediately.

It was where Lauren bought her silver minivan.

There were more withdrawals.

Insurance.

Registration.

Transfers directly into Lauren’s account.

A handwritten note in Mom’s handwriting was attached to one invoice:

Vehicle necessary for family transportation. Funds used for beneficiary’s benefit.

I read those words three times.

My mother had used Evan’s inheritance to buy Lauren a minivan.

The exact same minivan that had pulled away from him with three empty seats.

I didn’t confront anyone.

I photographed every document and called the attorney.

Soon, I was sitting across from another lawyer, Ms. Bennett, explaining everything: the water park, the gas card, the custodial account, the minivan.

She reviewed the documents carefully.

“These records raise serious questions about whether the funds were actually used for Evan’s benefit.”

“Can we recover the money?”

“We’ll need complete records first. Then we can determine our legal options.”

Three days later, Lauren arrived at my apartment.

“Chloe told me you got a lawyer.”

“Yes.”

“You’re actually going to drag Mom through court?”

“Where did Evan’s money go?”

Lauren sat on my couch.

“Mom said Dad wanted all of us taken care of.”

“Then why was the money specifically placed in Evan’s account?”

“He wanted all his grandchildren to have reliable transportation.”

“All his grandchildren?”

“Yes.”

I stared at her.

“Then why couldn’t Evan ride in the vehicle his money purchased?”

Lauren flinched.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“You’re making me sound horrible.”

“I asked you a question.”

She looked away.

“Because I was tired of everything being about him.”

“What?”

“Dad always took Evan places. He talked about how smart he was. He bought him things.”

“He loved all his grandchildren.”

“Not the same way.”

I remembered Dad attending Chloe’s school events, building Noah a toy chest, helping Ben repair his bicycle, teaching Chloe how to drive.