By Summer's End (Christian Fiction) Read Online Free Page B

uncle’s estate, he
hadn’t mentioned any details about the house.  “I did call the phone number of
the executor and left him a message that you and I would be arriving the day
after tomorrow.  I told him we’d call as soon as we get there, in order to set
up a meeting.”
    Brianna nodded and sat quietly for a
moment.  She appeared to be pondering something of importance.  “Holly, is
there a reason you’re so careful with your money,” she asked finally.  “I mean,
I know it’s good to save and all that, but…”
    Holly sighed.  At fifteen, Brianna was
old enough to understand adult issues, but she hated to burden her with
financial worries.  She’d taken on the responsibility of raising her sister and
it was her job to assure she grew up confident and secure.
    “I mean, if you don’t want to tell me…”
    “It’s … not that.  The truth is, I don’t
want you to worry about anything—least of all, money.”
    “But something is up with you…”
    Holly studied her sister’s face.  The
girl watched her, her eyes imploring.  Perhaps she was old enough to know the
truth.  She was nearly sixteen.  She was certainly astute enough to have
picked up on Holly’s anxiety over money.
    Holly sighed.  “Almost four years ago,
my mom was diagnosed with a serious illness.  We soon learned that her employer
had allowed the insurance coverage of her employees to lapse.  When we sought
care for my mother, the hospital wouldn’t treat her without a promise of
payment.”  She gave a shrug.  “I assumed financial responsibility for my
mother’s care.”
    “She died, right?  I think I remember my
dad saying something about that.”
    “Yes, she did.”
    “Is the bill big?”
    Holly sighed.  “Huge.”  She perked up. 
“But it’s okay.  I’m paying it off slowly but surely.  We’ll be okay.”
    “You could file for bankruptcy, couldn’t
you?  I know my parents did it a couple times.  They maxed out all sorts of
credit cards.  They got a lawyer and managed to keep their cars and our boat
and they didn’t have to pay back their credit card debt.  I’m sure you could
file too and you wouldn’t have to pay the hospital back.”  She grinned.  “You
could buy a new car first and new furniture and stuff for the house, then you could file.”
    Holly swallowed hard, determined to
respond appropriately.  Although she knew there were legitimate reasons for
filing for bankruptcy, holding on to one’s luxury items wasn’t one of them. 
Maxing out credit cards in order to obtain ‘things’ and then expecting others
to pay for them was dishonest. 
    Her mother and stepfather would never
have willfully incurred substantial debt and expected others to pick up the
tab.  She realized she had never really known her biological father and
wondered, was she better off for it?  What kind of an example had he been for Brianna? 
  
    “Brianna, I appreciate your thoughts and
advice, but I made a commitment to pay that bill.”  She remained quiet for a
moment.  “You suggested I buy a car and other things, but the fact is, I can’t
afford them.  And if I were to declare bankruptcy, it would have long-term
consequences for us.  I wouldn’t be able to qualify for a car loan.  It could
affect my ability to get a job.”  She shook her head.  “No, I’m going to pay
off my debt and any other debt I incur, since it’s just that— my debt.”
    “But you went into debt for your mom. 
It’s not fair you have to pay.  She wouldn’t want you to suffer because you
have to pay her bills.”
    “You’re right.  My mom was very troubled
about my assuming the cost of her care, but I wouldn’t change a thing.  I loved
and continue to love her very much.”
    “I guess so,” Brianna murmured, but sought
her gaze.  “But … didn’t your stepfather leave you any money?”
    “I’m afraid he lost his job when I was
about sixteen.  Since he’d been the primary bread winner, we ended