26

Maverick knew this would be good. He looked over at the time and saw that it was well past the children’s bedtime. He then glanced out the window and, for the first time in hours, noticed that it was pitch black outside. He hadn’t realized it was so late. He looked at her, sitting there looking at him. He picked up the phone and dialed his youngest sister. He knew that she wouldn’t pick up. So, when the voicemail beep sounded, he said, “Call me to discuss your actions at present when you get this. If you do not respond within a decent amount of time, I will begin to lower your monthly payments. I may anyway.”

When he hung up the phone, he knew it would take only a few minutes for his sister to call back. The threat of money being decreased was a good motivator for them. Though him calling to say either they had another child, or one of the others needed them they would be no answer for months. It was merely that none o