Chapter 4: The Account With No Name
Malcolm didn't reply to Tasha's message.
He took a screenshot, saved it, and placed his phone facedown on the table.
For the next few minutes, he said nothing.
Then he opened his laptop again.
“I'm going to the bank tomorrow morning,” he said.
“Why wait until tomorrow?”” I asked.
“Because the branch is closed, and customer service can't give me every record I need tonight. I need statements, transfer information, and the account documents.””
“Can you check whether the education fund is still open?””
“I can check the records Renee left with me.””
He pulled an old folder from a drawer beneath the television. Its cardboard edges were worn, and the label had faded.
Inside were insurance papers, birth certificates, and the documents created after Renee's death.
Malcolm carefully removed a thick envelope.
“I haven't opened this in years,” he said.
The handwriting on the front was unmistakable.
Renee's.
*For Isaiah. When he's old enough to understand.*
I felt something catch in my throat.
Malcolm opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter and a photocopy of the original education account agreement.
He read the letter silently first.
Then his eyes began to shine.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
He passed it to me.
Renee had written the letter eight months before she died.
She wrote about Isaiah's laugh, his habit of falling asleep with one hand gripping her shirt, and his obsession with trucks. She hoped he would grow up curious, stubborn in the right ways, and unafraid to ask questions.
Near the end, her handwriting became less neat.
Malcolm, if anything happens to me, please make sure Isaiah never feels that the things he needs are a burden. He will lose enough without me. Don't let him believe he has to earn his place in the world.
I lowered the letter.
For a moment, the room blurred.
Malcolm stared at the original account agreement.
“This says the funds were supposed to be managed separately from the household account.””
“Who was named as the manager?””
He scanned the document.
“Me. I was the custodian. Renee's parents contributed the initial amount, and I added to it every month.””
“Then how did Tasha get access?””
“I don't know.””
He turned the page.
A later document had been clipped to the agreement. It was dated two years after Renee's death.
Malcolm frowned.
“What is it?””
“A change of contact information.””
He examined the signatures.
May you like
“My signature is here.””
“
