Chapter 12 - The Door That Closed in Richmond
Dahlia ended the call and set her phone face down.
“They said my credit report shows an unresolved commercial obligation,” she said.
“They won't hold the apartment.”
I offered to cosign somewhere else.
She shook her head.
“I want my life back, Mom. Not a new rescue plan.”
We called her fellowship coordinator, who confirmed the job offer was still valid.
The housing problem was serious but not impossible.
There were temporary rooms available through the university's visiting-scholar network.
Dahlia accepted the list without smiling.
While Melanie prepared a letter to the property manager, Dahlia decided to retrieve the last box of her things from Tatum's office.
I wanted to drive her.
She went with Harper instead.
The office smelled of vanilla extract and disinfectant.
Behind the reception desk hung a framed photograph from the fundraiser where Tatum had collected everyone's identification.
Dahlia could see herself at the edge of the picture, holding a nametag and laughing.
Her old scarf was in the supply closet.
Her father's handwritten strawberry shortcake recipe, which Tatum had borrowed for a menu, was taped inside a cabinet door.
Dahlia took both.
Then she noticed a folder tucked into an open printer tray.
On its cover were three words: FAMILY GUARANTOR FILE.
Before she could touch it, Tatum entered from the loading bay.
“You always were nosy,” Tatum said.
Dahlia didn't move.
“Why did you use my name?”
Tatum's face remained smooth.
“Because your brother wouldn't stop asking questions if I used his.”
“Did he know?”
“He knew what mattered. He knew we needed the money.”
Harper appeared in the doorway with her phone visible at her side.
Tatum glanced at it, then stepped back.
May you like
“Go ahead and record,” she said.
“But ask Severin whose idea the guarantor was.”
