Chapter 4: Lost Money

After that text I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t reply and wouldn’t. I changed my phone number when I moved and I haven’t given it to anyone besides the hospital, the children services worker who helped me get out, my employment insurance worker and my father.

I unpacked our hospital bags as I waited for my father to come back, I felt my phone vibrate again and I looked at it nervously,

Dad: Will be there soon, giving you a heads up so you can start unlocking your locks ahead of time so your food doesn’t get cold.

I laughed, how I missed my father’s humor. I walked over the door and unlocked my deadbolts, as I seen my father walk in with a large box and several bags.

“What is this dad?” I was eyeing him down.

He shrugged his shoulders, “Just a few gifts for my grandson, you can’t do it all by yourself Kay. So what is going on with you and Darren? Does he have visitation or help out?”

I shook my head, “I ran dad. I couldn’t take it anymore, I rented a truck and hauled as much stuff as I could and ran away from it all. Darren doesn’t know anything or where we are. Can you please keep my address to yourself even the city name.”

My dad nodded, “I’m here for you Kay, you can come stay with me. I’m in the big house on my own, I’d be happy to have you two with me!”

I was happy to hear my dad wanted us to live with him and even if I wanted too I knew Darren has been there and he would eventually check there for us

“I can’t risk it, he knows where you live dad. I just want to hide out and try to give Jeremy the best life possible.”

My dad nodded, “OK but Kay let me help you out, I got Jeremy so many cute outfits, I didn’t quite plan to spend that much but it was too easy. I got him a new bed, some formula and diapers. And just anything I thought you needed. When the little guy wakes up let me get you some groceries, I can’t leave here knowing you don’t got anything. Your my daughter Kay I know when you lie.”

I felt my heart get heavy, I’ve been on my own for a while now and after everything I’ve put my father through I was surprised he wanted to help me.

Flashback

My phone rang, I saw it was my father. He hasn’t called me in a while,

“Hey Dad what’s up?”

“Kay, are you fucking kidding me. Do you have something you need to say?”

I shook my head, I didn’t exactly know what he was talking about.

“I’m sorry dad, I don’t exactly know what you are talking about?”

“I got a call from my credit card company, the card I gave you for emergencies and emergencies only has been maxed out!”

My dad gave me one of his credit cards when I moved on my own for emergencies in which I rarely used unless it was of dire need. I felt guilty using it and I would always text him and say sorry. Usually it was for a bit of groceries or some gas, but maybe only a handful of times.

“That’s impossible dad, I haven’t used it in months dad, it’s in my wallet.”

“That’s bullshit Kay, go check your wallet cause it was used at ATMs all over Lansing. That was 10,000 that was taken out just in a few days! And several large purchases! I have the damn list right here.”

I walked over to my wallet and opened it and the card was know where to be found. I looked in every compartment hoping it got misplaced. I didn’t have anyone near my wallet besides me and Darren. I immediately knew Darren had something to do with it.

“It’s not here dad, let me look around. I’m not sure where it is dad, maybe someone took it. Can you report fraud on it?”

“It’s hard to report fraud when the person knew the fucking pin Kay. Did you give your prince charming the pin cause I’m assuming this is his doing. I’m right aren’t I?”

I remembered back a few months ago I was really sick and asked Darren to take it to the ATM and take out $20 for some medicine I gave him the pin and I didn’t even think about that. I immediately lied to my father,

“Nope I wouldn’t give that to him, let me see what I can do on this end dad.”

“No need It’s already being investigated, they are pulling up security footage. For your sake Kay I hope it’s not him, I will press charges and he will spend more time behind bars.”

The call went dead, I starred back at my phone. I immediately dialed Darren’s number, no surprise when the phone went straight to voice-mail.

I looked through my phone when I saw I had a email from my bank, my bank account was in overdraft by $500. I just had $800 in there, I looked over the charges, all ATMs.

I looked into my wallet all my cards where in its place, I took each of them out one by one and checked each of them, they were all maxed out. After losing my job, I was paying for everything with my savings and Darren didn’t contribute anything it was all me and now he took everything I had and even put me in debt.

I picked my phone up and sent Darren a text, he can’t ignore those.

K: You have until 9 am tomorrow morning to show up here and talk to me before I call the cops and have them investigate my missing money.

What I didn’t expect was his reaction.