Chapter 19 - Marcus’s NumberMarcus hated himself for the first thought.
How much is this going to cost me?
Not because he did not want to support Jayden.
Because the number represented loss of control.
He earned more now than when the order was entered four years earlier.
Back then, his salary had been about fifty-two thousand.
Now, with promotions and overtime, he made nearly seventy-one.
The state review was routine.
But routine did not feel neutral when it reached into your paycheck.
He called a family-law attorney named David Kim.
After reviewing the notice, David said, “This is normal.”
“What kind of increase are we talking?”
“I can’t calculate it accurately without both parties’ current incomes, health-insurance costs, parenting time, childcare, and other factors.”
Marcus disliked uncertainty.
“Could it double?”
“Unlikely based solely on the numbers you described, but possible outcomes depend on the guideline calculation.”
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“Can I fight it?”
“You can contest incorrect information.”
“I mean the increase.”
“If the guideline says an increase is appropriate, your argument needs a legal basis.”
Marcus sat silently.
David continued.
“Do you believe Jayden’s needs decreased?”
“No.”
“Your ability to contribute increased?”
“Yes.”
“Then the emotional question may be different from the legal one.”
Marcus knew exactly what he meant.
That evening he met Tasha at a coffee shop.
“I got the review notice.”
“So did I.”
“You didn’t request it?”
“No.”
“Felicia says it happens automatically in some cases.”
Marcus nodded.
“What’s your salary now?”
Tasha hesitated.
Then laughed.
“Look at us.”
“What?”
“Two months ago I would’ve told you that was none of your business.”
“It’s relevant now.”
“I know.”
She told him.
Fifty-eight thousand.
Marcus told her his.
Seventy-one.
Her eyebrows rose.
“You’re doing well.”
“So are you.”
“Finally.”
Marcus stirred his coffee.
“I’m nervous.”
Tasha looked surprised.
“About paying more?”
“Yes.”
She waited.
He added, “And I feel like a hypocrite.”
Tasha did not rescue him.
Marcus continued.
“I spent weeks saying Kelvin needs to pay the right amount.”
“He does.”
“And now my amount might change.”
“Yes.”
“I hate that the state decides.”
Tasha smiled sadly.
“Welcome to family court.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Did you feel like this when I asked for receipts?”
“Like somebody was measuring whether I deserved control?”
“Yes.”
“Exactly like that.”
He nodded.
For once, he understood without defending himself.
“What would make this easier?” she asked.
“Knowing where it goes.”
Tasha sighed.
Marcus held up a hand.
“I know. Child support supports the household.”
“Yes.”
“Rent. Utilities. Food. Transportation.”
“Yes.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
“I’m trying.”
She looked at him.
“Then hear this: if your support goes up, that does not mean I am taking money from you.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
“It means Jayden benefits from both parents’ incomes.”
“Yes.”
“Even if some of it pays electricity.”
“Yes.”
“Even though Maya and Eli use electricity.”
Tasha smiled.
“Yes.”
Marcus leaned back.
“That still bothers me.”
“You’re allowed to have feelings.”
“Damn therapy.”
She laughed.
At the administrative conference three weeks later, the calculation increased Marcus’s monthly obligation from $550 to $690.
One hundred forty dollars more.
Less than he feared.
Enough to trigger something anyway.
He signed the paperwork.
No fight.
Afterward Tasha approached him in the hallway.
“You okay?”
“Ask me next payday.”
She smiled.
“Thank you for not turning it into a war.”
Marcus looked toward the courthouse doors.
“I thought about it.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“Your face.”
They walked outside.
Marcus stopped.
“I want one thing.”
Tasha braced.
“What?”
“Not control.”
“Okay.”
“Transparency about major Jayden expenses.”
She nodded.
“That’s fair.”
“And if the household is in real trouble, tell me.”
“I will.”
“Not because I’ll fix it.”
“I know.”
“Because it affects him.”
“Yes.”
They shook hands.
It felt ridiculous and important.
That week Kelvin’s modification hearing occurred.
His claimed income was rejected.
The court used his actual wage records.
His monthly support obligation increased modestly, and an arrears payment amount was added.
Kelvin was furious.
But he did not lose his license.
He was given a structured repayment schedule.
After court, he approached Tasha.
“You got what you wanted.”
“No.”
“What else could you possibly want?”
“I want you to stop seeing support as money you give me.”
His face hardened.
“It goes to you.”
“It goes through me.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
Tasha looked at him.
“That thinking is why we’re here.”
Kelvin shook his head and walked away.
Two days later, Nia called Tasha.
They had rarely spoken directly.
“Tasha.”
“Hi.”
“Did Kelvin tell you about the gambling?”
Tasha closed her eyes.
“He told me something.”
“How long have you known?”
“A few days.”
Nia breathed shakily.
“He said you’d known for months.”
“No.”
Silence.
Another lie.
Another triangle.
Nia whispered, “I don’t know what’s true anymore.”
Tasha knew that feeling intimately.
She could have humiliated Kelvin.
Instead she said, “Don’t use me to figure out your marriage.”
Nia was quiet.
“That’s not cruel,” Tasha added. “It’s a boundary.”
Nia exhaled.
“You’re right.”
Before hanging up, she said, “He told me something else.”
Tasha closed her eyes.
“What?”
“He said you used to ask him for cash and not report it.”
Tasha frowned.
“I never did.”
“He has screenshots.”
Tasha’s stomach tightened.
“What screenshots?”
Nia sent them.
Tasha opened the images.
Messages from years earlier appeared under her name.
Just give me cash. Court doesn’t need to know.
Don’t put child support in the memo.
Tasha stared.
She had never written those messages.
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