Chapter 17 - The Second Choice
Simone found the transfer two days later.
Because Marcus had promised in writing to preserve disputed funds, his attorney was required to disclose material movements related to the accounts under negotiation.
Martin Hales called Simone himself.
Jordan sat in her office when she told him.
“The six-thousand-dollar refund from the dealership did not go back into your grandfather fund.”
Jordan already knew the answer somehow.
“Duplex?”
“Yes.”
He looked out the window.
Alicia cursed under her breath.
Jordan said nothing.
Simone leaned forward.
“I need you to hear the distinction. This is useful evidence. But emotionally, I suspect it feels worse.”
Jordan laughed quietly.
“Useful.”
“I know.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“It doesn’t sound fine.”
“He chose again.”
Alicia touched his arm.
Jordan pulled away.
Not angrily.
He could not tolerate comfort yet.
“The first time, maybe he convinced himself I wouldn’t know.”
Simone nodded.
“This time he knew.”
“Yes.”
Jordan stood.
“He knew I knew.”
“Yes.”
“And he still did it.”
“Yes.”
Jordan paced toward the door.
Alicia said, “Where are you going?”
“Work.”
“Jordan.”
“I’m not missing work because he stole from me.”
Simone corrected gently.
“Misused disputed funds.”
Jordan looked at her.
“I know why you say that.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
He left.
That afternoon, Marcus arrived at the auto-parts store again.
This time Vernon intercepted him.
“Jordan’s working.”
“I know.”
“He doesn’t want to talk.”
Marcus looked toward the aisles.
“I’m his father.”
“And he’s my employee until nine.”
Marcus’s jaw tightened.
Jordan saw the exchange from behind the counter.
For a moment, he considered hiding.
Then he walked over.
“It’s okay.”
Vernon looked at him.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
They stepped outside.
Marcus appeared exhausted.
No gold watch.
Jordan noticed immediately.
“Where’s the watch?”
Marcus glanced at his wrist.
“Sold it.”
“Why?”
“To restore some money.”
Jordan blinked.
“How much?”
“Thirty-eight hundred.”
Despite himself, Jordan was surprised.
“That watch was worth that?”
“I bought it used.”
Jordan stared.
Marcus continued.
“I’m selling other things.”
“The duplex?”
His father’s mouth tightened.
“I’m trying to avoid that.”
“Of course.”
“Jordan.”
“You used the car refund to save it.”
Marcus stopped.
Jordan nodded.
“I know.”
“I was going to tell you.”
“When?”
“Now.”
“Because my lawyer already knows.”
Marcus looked down.
Jordan’s voice shook.
“You had another chance.”
“I know.”
“And you chose it again.”
“I had seventy-two hours before foreclosure referral.”
“Why do you care so much about that building?”
Marcus looked at the parking lot.
“Because it was mine.”
Jordan frowned.
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“Do you know what your grandfather left me?”
Jordan waited.
“Nothing.”
“That’s not true.”
“Money? Nothing.”
“He left you family things.”
“Tools. Records. His watch went to Tiana’s husband because Dad thought he’d appreciate it.”
Marcus’s resentment surprised Jordan.
“You were jealous of Grandpa leaving me money?”
“No.”
“That sounded like yes.”
Marcus rubbed his eyes.
“I spent my whole life trying to build something nobody could take.”
Jordan whispered, “So you took mine.”
Marcus flinched.
Jordan almost apologized.
He stopped himself.
Marcus looked older beneath the parking-lot lights.
“When the duplex started failing, I felt like I was becoming my father.”
“How?”
“Walking away from obligations.”
“So instead you ignored different obligations.”
“I know.”
Jordan stared.
The words were new.
I know.
No defense after them.
Marcus continued.
“I thought if I could stabilize the property, sell or refinance later, put everything back, none of you would ever need to know.”
“And the car?”
Marcus closed his eyes.
“That was stupid.”
“No. Tell me.”
“Keisha had been talking about how hard things were with Darius’s father.”
Jordan waited.
“I wanted to show her I wasn’t like him.”
“So you used me.”
“Yes.”
The answer hit differently because it was direct.
Jordan’s eyes filled.
Marcus looked at him.
“I am sorry.”
Jordan’s jaw tightened.
“I don’t know what to do with that.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying you know.”
Marcus nodded.
“Okay.”
Jordan looked away.
“Why did you tell her I had a Civic?”
“Because I knew she would ask why I wasn’t helping you.”
“And you wanted her admiration more than you wanted to be honest.”
“Yes.”
Jordan wiped his eyes quickly.
Marcus’s voice broke.
“I hate that answer.”
“So do I.”
They stood in silence.
For one fragile moment, Jordan felt something almost like his father returning.
Then he remembered the transfer.
“You still moved the money.”
Marcus looked down.
“Yes.”
“After apologizing.”
“Yes.”
“After knowing.”
“Yes.”
Jordan nodded.
“That’s the part I can’t get past.”
Marcus swallowed.
“I can fix it.”
“Maybe the balance.”
Jordan looked directly at him.
“But every time you say ‘I can fix it,’ you mean money.”
Marcus’s expression collapsed.
Jordan continued.
“I needed you to choose me when choosing me cost you something.”
The words landed.
Marcus’s eyes reddened.
Jordan stepped backward.
“I have to work.”
“Jordan.”
He stopped.
Marcus pulled something from his pocket.
A small key.
Jordan recognized it.
The new house key.
“I should’ve given you this months ago.”
Jordan looked at it.
He thought of himself joking that he was officially a visitor.
“No.”
Marcus’s hand lowered.
“I don’t want it.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t live there.”
“You’re my son.”
Jordan’s throat tightened.
“Then act like I don’t need a key to prove it.”
He went inside.
Marcus remained alone in the parking lot.
Jordan did not see him cry.
Vernon did.
And later, when Vernon locked the store, he found the house key still sitting on the concrete where Marcus had accidentally dropped it.
Vernon picked it up.
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He did not give it to Jordan.
Some keys, he understood, were not ready to open anything.
