The next morning, at 8:30, my phone rang. I was making breakfast when Amanda’s name appeared on the screen. I let it ring. Then again. Finally, I answered.
— What have you done? His voice was high-pitched and panicked, like I had never heard before.
— Hello, Amanda. What’s wrong?
— Saint Augustine Academy called. They say the scholarship funding for my three children has been withdrawn. Do you know anything about that?
I poured my coffee slowly.
— Why would I know anything about your children’s scholarships?
— Because… She stopped abruptly. Wait. That anonymous donor who covered 70% of the tuition fees for four years… that was you.
« I don’t know what you’re talking about, » I replied calmly.
Don’t play that game. Saint Augustine costs $45,000 per child per year. We can’t afford it without that help. They said the funding was withdrawn immediately.
« That’s a shame, » I said, taking a sip of coffee. « Have you considered public school? I’ve heard they have excellent specialized programs. »
A long silence followed.
« It’s about yesterday, isn’t it? » she finally said. « About what I said about Alex. »
— I don’t remember you saying anything particularly noteworthy.
I lied without hesitation.
« I was just being honest, » she continued. « I was trying to help you have realistic expectations. »
“And I’m realistic about my financial expectations,” I replied. “I’ve realized I need to be more careful about how I allocate my resources. In that regard, I’ve also cancelled the monthly transfers to your account.”
« The… $5,000? » she whispered.
— Yes. The $5,000 I’ve been paying every month for the past three years. Approximately $180,000 in total. I have detailed statements if needed.
— But this money was… we thought it was…
— A grandmother’s inheritance? A fund? No, Amanda. It was me. Helping my sister who was complaining about the cost of private schools, the difficulty of maintaining our standard of living, Greg’s insufficient salary.
I could hear him breathing with difficulty.
« And one last thing, » I added. « I also canceled the country club membership I was paying for the whole family. About $15,000 a year. You’ll surely be able to find a solution yourselves. »
« You can’t do that, » she said, without real conviction.
— Yes. Just like you can’t expect help indefinitely when you treat someone’s child with contempt.
— I never meant to… Alex is a good boy, I just wanted to…
— Just being honest? Realistic? Interesting how honesty always goes in the same direction with us.
There was a knock at my door. My mother was in the driveway.
— Amanda, I have to go. Good luck with school. They say the public school is very inclusive.
I hung up.
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