Chapter 13 - HabitsAt mediation the following week, Marcus and Tasha sat across from each other at a round table.
The mediator, Dr. Elaine Brooks, was a retired family-law attorney with silver braids and a calm voice.
“No one is here to decide who is the better parent,” she said.
Marcus glanced at Tasha.
Tasha looked at the table.
“We are here to identify patterns that are hurting your son.”
Marcus said, “Financial secrecy.”
Tasha said, “Financial control.”
Elaine nodded.
“Good. We already have two.”
Marcus frowned.
“That sounds like you’re saying they’re equal.”
“I didn’t say equal.”
She folded her hands.
“I said both exist.”
Tasha leaned back.
Elaine asked, “Marcus, what does money mean to you?”
“Security.”
“Only security?”
“Responsibility.”
“And emotionally?”
Marcus hesitated.
“Proof.”
Tasha looked at him.
Elaine noticed.
“Proof of what?”
“That I’m doing my job.”
“As a father?”
“Yes.”
“What happens when someone uses money differently than you intended?”
Marcus thought.
“It feels like they’re saying my effort doesn’t matter.”
Tasha’s expression softened.
Elaine turned.
“Tasha. What does money mean to you?”
“Pressure.”
“Only pressure?”
“Choice.”
“Explain.”
“If I have enough, I get choices. If I don’t, everybody else gets to tell me what I should have done.”
Marcus looked down.
Elaine continued.
“What does earmarked money feel like?”
“Help with a leash.”
Marcus looked up.
“That’s not fair.”
Elaine raised one hand.
“You’ll get your turn.”
Tasha continued.
“When Marcus says, ‘Here’s six hundred for shoes,’ it sounds generous.”
“It is generous.”
Elaine looked at him.
“Your turn comes after.”
Marcus leaned back.
Tasha said, “But then I feel like if Jayden needs three hundred and the refrigerator needs food, I’m not allowed to use the remaining money without proving something.”
“Because it wasn’t for the refrigerator.”
Marcus could not stop himself.
Elaine sighed.
“Marcus.”
“Sorry.”
Tasha looked at him.
“That’s what I mean.”
“So I shouldn’t label money?”
“I’m saying if you need absolute control over an extra purchase, buy the item yourself.”
Marcus paused.
That was reasonable.
Elaine asked Tasha, “Why didn’t you call and ask permission to redirect some of the six hundred?”
Tasha’s face tightened.
“Because I knew he’d say no.”
“So you preferred forgiveness to consent.”
“Yes.”
“Did that work?”
“No.”
Elaine turned to Marcus.
“Why send six hundred rather than take Jayden shopping?”
“I was working.”
“Could you have gone another day?”
“Yes.”
“So convenience contributed.”
Marcus nodded reluctantly.
Elaine wrote something.
“The system failed before either of you touched the money.”
For the next hour they built rules.
Regular child support continued through the state system.
Extra money for specific large expenses required written agreement.
If Marcus wanted an item bought exactly, he would purchase it directly.
If Tasha believed an earmarked payment should be redirected, she had to ask before spending it.
Neither could discuss disputes with Jayden.
Neither could ask Jayden to keep financial information secret.
Neither could use money or gifts to win affection.
Marcus stared at that line.
“Was that directed at me?”
Elaine looked at him.
“Did it feel directed at you?”
Tasha covered a smile.
Marcus sighed.
“Yes.”
“Then maybe.”
Afterward they walked to the parking lot.
“That went better than expected,” Tasha said.
Marcus nodded.
“You really think I buy stuff to win him?”
“Sometimes.”
“That’s harsh.”
“You asked.”
“No, Elaine asked.”
Tasha smiled.
Marcus leaned against his truck.
“How’s Brightline?”
She looked surprised.
“I paid the late fee.”
“With what?”
“Sold the television.”
Marcus stared.
“You actually sold it?”
“Four hundred twenty-five.”
“Eli’s going to riot.”
“He already did.”
Marcus laughed.
Tasha smiled too.
It felt unfamiliar.
Then Marcus became serious.
“New job starts next week?”
“Monday.”
“You need anything?”
She shook her head.
“No rescue.”
“Wasn’t rescuing.”
“It was almost rescuing.”
“Fine.”
He opened his truck door.
“Tasha.”
“Yeah?”
“The six hundred.”
“What about it?”
“I’ve been thinking.”
She waited.
“You were wrong.”
Her face hardened slightly.
Then he continued.
“But I was wrong too.”
She relaxed.
“I walked in asking about Jordans before I asked whether Jayden even wanted Jordans.”
Tasha nodded.
“I turned the purchase into a symbol.”
“A symbol of what?”
Marcus thought.
“That my son gets what I didn’t.”
“And I turned the money into something else.”
“What?”
“Proof that nobody in my house gets left out.”
They looked at each other.
“Both of us were parenting our childhoods,” Tasha said.
Marcus nodded.
“Instead of the kids in front of us.”
For once, there was nothing to argue.
That night Jayden came downstairs carrying his old gray hoodie.
Tasha was organizing bills at the table.
“Can I ask something?”
“Always.”
“Are you going to get evicted?”
“No.”
“You promise?”
“I have a payment agreement and a new job.”
“So no?”
“No.”
He nodded.
Then he looked at her papers.
“Are you still broke?”
Tasha laughed.
“Very.”
Jayden smiled slightly.
“Can I help?”
She pointed at him.
“No.”
“I mean chores.”
“Oh.”
“Like more.”
“That kind of help I’ll take.”
He sat.
“Dad said you guys made rules.”
“We did.”
“About me?”
“About ourselves.”
Jayden nodded.
“That’s better.”
Tasha looked at him.
“Yes.”
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?”
A woman spoke.
“Ms. Williams? This is Carla Benton with the county child-support office.”
“Yes?”
“We received new employer information for Mr. Price.”
Tasha sat straighter.
“He has a job?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And?”
“We’re initiating an income withholding order.”
For the first time in almost a year, Kelvin’s support might become automatic.
Tasha exhaled.
“Thank you.”
But Carla continued.
“There’s one complication.”
Tasha’s stomach sank.
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“What?”
“Mr. Price has filed a request to reduce his monthly obligation.”
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