Diane reached for the file she’d brought and handed it to him. “It’s all in there,” she informed him. She watched anxiously as the man flipped through the pages of the report on her business. She saw him nod his head approvingly a few times, giving her hope that everything was okay.
“This looks good,” the man said, placing the file on the desk. “I especially like how you present your profit and loss accounts and the fact that you do not have much outstanding debt,” he complimented.
“Thank you.” Diane’s lips turned up in a relieved smile.
“However…”
Just like that, her hope was scattered to be replaced by anxiety.
“I cannot honor your loan application at this time because you are a relatively new company—a small one at that—and you have not demonstrated a feasible solution for the repayment of the loan should the business tank. I’m afraid that is not a risk we can take at this time,” the man spoke regrettably.
Diane plastered a smile on her lips even though disappointment burned a trail to her heart. “Thank you. I appreciate your time,” she expressed, rising to her feet. She took the hand he offered, although it felt less warm than it had at their initial introduction.
“I wish there was more I could have done for you.” His brown eyes reflected his regret.
“It’s fine. I figured it might have been a long shot,” she assured him.
When she made it to her car, she broke down in tears. The feeling of being a failure returned, and she considered at that moment that she had made a mistake not finishing medical school, but then her father’s words and his smiling face as he told her how proud he was of her came to her mind like a resounding force. She wasn’t a failure, and she would find a way to accomplish her dreams if it was the last thing she did. When she was composed enough, she drove out of the parking lot and headed in the direction of her childhood home.
Her mother greeted her at the door with a look of surprise. “Diane? I wasn’t expecting you. Is everything okay?”
“Hi, Mom. Yeah. I’m great,” she replied.
Tessa moved back, allowing her to enter. She looked around the foyer, noticing that something was off about the space. “Where’s the portrait of you, Dad, me, and Jake that’s usually here?” She gestured to the now bare wall where it used to hang.
“It fell, and the frame broke. I placed it in the garage,” Tessa replied.
“Wow.” Diane shook her head disappointedly.
“I’m planning to have it reframed and replaced,” Tessa rushed to explain.
“Well, don’t do it on my account. Take your time,” Diane replied, her tone biting.
Tessa sighed. “Can we not fight about every little thing?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Diane rounded to look at her mother, folding her arms over her chest. “You know what, it’s fine,” she said before Tessa could respond. “I only came to ask you to reconsider giving me access to the rest of the fund's Dad left for me. I really need it.”
“Diane, we went over this. I’m doing this to protect you. I can’t give you that money,” Tessa replied.
“And I’ll remind you that Dad left that money for me. Which makes it rightfully mine to spend as I see fit,” Diane spoke through clenched teeth.
“Your father might have left it to you, but he left me in charge to make sure you don’t spend it unwisely,” her mother returned.
“That is not why he left you in charge. He only did it because he probably thought you would honor his wishes and do what is right.” Diane stared at her mother through narrowed eyes.
“I am doing what is right,” Tessa threw back. “I’m honoring his wishes.”
“How can you do that when you don’t even support me the way he did?” Diane asked with a raised brow. At Tessa’s lack of response, she pushed. “He has always believed in me and my dreams in a way you never could. At least he had time to do that.”
“That’s because I was busy working to provide a roof over your heads, making sure you ate and that you never had to live in want,” Tessa defended. “I did all of this because I wanted what was best for my children.”
“So what? Dad didn’t?” Diane’s arms tightened around her torso as she stared angrily at her mother.
“Your dad provided for you in the way he was able to, giving you what I couldn’t at the time,” Tessa responded.
Diane shook her head. “You know what’s funny? You wanted to change Dad so much that your nagging only pushed him into doing things that made him unhappy, but you were so blind to that because it was all about you and what you wanted.”
“That is not true,” Tessa refuted, vigorously shaking her head.
