The consequences came quickly. The bank didn’t go to the police, preferring to settle amicably. They seized the house on Lake View Terrace to pay off the loan. Harper and Zoe had to move to a small apartment across town. Frank filed for divorce, seeking joint custody. Lennox stopped returning my calls. His wife, Deirdre— with whom I’d always had a cool relationship—called one day to say they didn’t want me in contact with their children.
“They’re too impressionable for family dramas,” she said.
I found myself isolated. The children and grandchildren—who’d been less than eager to socialize before—now completely severed relations. I became a pariah in my own family.
Strangely, I didn’t feel as bitter as I’d expected. Was I in pain? Of course. I lost my children and grandchildren—perhaps forever. But I gained something equally important: self‑respect, and freedom from the toxic relationships that had been eating away at my soul for years.
Audrey became my biggest support. She stopped by almost every day, bringing fresh baked goods, telling me the city news—just being there. She suggested I start a new chapter in my life.
“Winnie, how many years have you been living for others?” she asked over tea. “First for your husband, then for your children. When was the last time you did something for yourself—something you dreamed of but kept putting off?”
I wondered. Really—when? Maybe before I had kids—or even before marriage?
“You see?” Audrey said, noticing my confusion. “It’s time to fix this. You’re free. You have a small savings plus the court compensation. What would you like to do? Where would you like to go? What would you like to learn?”
“I don’t know,” I was confused. It had been so long since I’d thought about my own desires.
“Then let’s start small,” Audrey said firmly. “I signed us up for computer classes at the community center—twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Starts next Tuesday.”
“Computer literacy?” I was surprised. “Why?”
“Because the world doesn’t stand still—and neither should we,” Audrey smiled. “Besides, it’ll be fun. Imagine us laughing at each other’s clumsy attempts with these modern things.”
I agreed, though hesitantly. I thought it was too late to learn new things at my age. But Audrey was adamant—and right. The course turned out to be exactly what I needed. Not so much for the knowledge, though I learned a lot, but for the atmosphere. There were people my age with similar problems and interests—people who didn’t look at me as a burden or a source of potential inheritance. People with whom I could socialize as an equal.
About a month into the course, Rowan called.
“Mrs. Toiver, I have news. Fairview National Bank is offering you an additional $15,000 for moral damages. They admitted their employee, Tyler Pratt, violated screening procedures when making the loan, and they want to avoid further proceedings.”
“Well, that’s fair enough,” I said. “If the bank had been more vigilant, none of this would have happened.”
“Quite right,” Rowan agreed. “I’ll prepare the documents. How are you, by the way?”
“Surprisingly well,” I said honestly. “Of course, I miss time with my grandchildren. But otherwise, I feel freer than I have in years.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Rowan said, genuinely pleased. “I’ve seen a lot of cases like this. Often people, even if they win in court, feel like they’ve lost because of broken relationships. But you seem to have found something positive.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I said. “I realized I can live for myself—not just for my children—and that my value as a human being doesn’t depend on their attitude toward me.”
With the additional compensation from the bank, for the first time in my life I had a rather large sum of money I could dispose of at my own discretion. Before, all my savings were either spent on my family’s needs or saved for a rainy day. Now I could afford something I’d long dreamed of but never dared to do.
“You should go on a trip,” Audrey urged. “Remember how you always wanted to see Italy?”
“That was a long time ago,” I smiled. “Even before the kids were born. Harold promised we’d go for our silver wedding—but then my health problems started, and there was never time.”
“So make up for lost time,” Audrey winked. “Imagine Venice, gondolas, narrow streets, cafés on Piazza San Marco.”
“Would you come with me?” I asked suddenly.
Audrey froze with her cup halfway to her lips.
“Me? I thought you’d want to go alone.”
“Why would I want to go alone?” I shook my head. “More fun with two. Besides, you’ve always been braver than me. If I get confused, you’ll know what to do.”
Audrey smiled.
“You know, I’ve never been to Europe. I always wanted to—but there were always children, grandchildren, commitments.” She laughed softly. “Yes, Winnie. I’ll go.”
“Good,” I said.
