Chapter 4: The Man at the Door
Robert opened the door.
A tall man in his early forties stood on the porch, wearing a black polo shirt and dark jeans. He held a large brown envelope under one arm and a set of car keys in his other hand.
His eyes immediately moved past Robert.
“Tasha?””
Robert didn't step aside.
“Who are you?””
The man gave a polite smile.
“Darren Cole. I'm here to see Tasha.””
Robert studied him.
The name matched the withdrawal receipt.
The name matched the payment confirmation.
And judging by the way Tasha had reacted when she heard the doorbell, Robert knew this wasn't an ordinary visitor.
“I'm Robert,” he said.
“Marcus's father.””
Darren's smile disappeared slightly.
“Oh.””
“You know my son?””
Darren shifted the envelope.
“Not personally.””
“Then why are you here?””
Before Darren could answer, Tasha appeared behind Robert.
“Darren! What are you doing here?””
Darren looked confused.
“You told me to come by.””
“Not today!””
“You said everything was ready.””
Robert turned toward her.
“Ready for what?””
Tasha didn't answer.
Darren glanced between them.
“Is something wrong?””
Robert stepped aside just enough to let him see the living room.
On the coffee table sat two shiny pink backpacks, expensive school supplies, and a receipt showing the five-hundred-dollar purchase.
Beside the sofa stood Isaiah.
His yellow polo was slightly wrinkled, and his old camouflage backpack rested against his leg.
Darren looked at him.
Then he looked at the shopping bags.
“What's going on?””
Tasha quickly approached.
“Nothing. Robert is upset about a misunderstanding.””
Robert folded his arms.
“Then let's clear it up. Did you receive three hundred dollars from Tasha?””
Darren's expression changed.
He looked at her.
“Tasha?””
She shook her head.
“Don't answer him.””
Robert took the payment confirmation from his pocket.
“Three hundred dollars for a private school registration deposit. Your name is on the withdrawal receipt. Your son's name is on this payment.””
Darren looked down.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he sighed.
“I knew this would eventually become a problem.””
Tasha's face tightened.
“What does that mean?””
Darren stepped inside.
“It means you told me Marcus knew about the arrangement.””
Robert slowly turned his head.
“What arrangement?””
Darren placed the brown envelope on the coffee table.
“I thought we were all on the same page.””
Tasha looked as though she wanted the floor to swallow her.
“Darren, please leave.””
But Darren wasn't listening.
He looked toward the phone.
“Is Marcus there?””
Marcus answered immediately.
“I'm listening.””
Darren stared at the device.
“Marcus?””
“Who is this?””
“Darren Cole.””
A long silence followed.
Then Marcus asked, “Why are you in my house?””
Darren looked uncomfortable.
“I'm not here to cause trouble.””
“Then explain why you're receiving money from my wife.””
Darren glanced at Tasha.
“She told me you were helping with my son's school fees.””
Marcus's voice became colder.
“I sent my wife five hundred dollars for my three children. Not for your son.””
Darren's eyebrows lifted.
“Five hundred?””
“Yes.””
Darren looked at the shopping bags.
Then at the receipt.
Then at Tasha.
“She told me you had agreed to help.””
Tasha shook her head.
“Darren, stop talking.””
But Robert stepped forward.
“No. Keep talking.””
Darren rubbed his forehead.
“Look, I don't know the details. Tasha said she had money set aside for the kids and that she wanted to help my boy get into a better school.””
Marcus responded immediately.
“How much did she give you?””
“Three hundred dollars.””
“Cash?””
“Part of it was cash. She paid the registration deposit directly.””
Marcus exhaled.
“And what is the envelope?””
Darren hesitated.
“School documents.””
Robert picked it up.
Tasha rushed forward.
“Don't open that!””
Robert held it away.
“Why?””
“Because they're private!””
“Then perhaps you should have kept them away from money meant for my grandson.””
Darren looked increasingly uncomfortable.
“Maybe I should come back another time.””
“No,” Marcus said through the phone.
“You're going to stay right there.””
Darren looked at the device.
“Marcus, I didn't know the money was specifically meant for Isaiah.””
Marcus went quiet.
Then he said something that made Darren lower his eyes.
“You didn't need to know. It wasn't yours.””
Isaiah had been listening from the hallway.
He looked at the brown envelope.
Then at Darren.
“Is that for your son?””
Darren turned.
“Yes, buddy.””
“Does he get a new school?””
Darren smiled awkwardly.
“Yes. Hopefully.””
Isaiah nodded slowly.
“That's nice.””
Robert's expression softened.
“Isaiah, come here.””
The boy approached.
Robert placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You don't have to worry about anybody else's school fees.””
Isaiah looked at Darren.
“Does he have a backpack?””
Darren blinked.
“Yes. We bought one last week.””
Isaiah nodded.
“Okay.””
He returned to the hallway.
That simple exchange hurt Robert more than Tasha's excuses.
His grandson had been denied basic school supplies, yet he was still concerned about another child's backpack.
Robert looked at Tasha.
“Do you hear him?””
She wiped her eyes.
“I'm his stepmother. I have responsibilities beyond buying him things.””
Robert shook his head.
“Responsibilities don't mean choosing which child deserves to be treated like family.””
Tasha looked toward the phone.
“Marcus, please. Can you come home so we can discuss this without everyone shouting?””
Marcus answered quietly.
“I'm already on my way.””
Then Darren opened his envelope.
“I think you should see this.””
He removed a folded school registration document.
Robert glanced at it.
The school name was printed at the top.
Beneath it were the details of the student.
*Student: Ethan Cole.*
*Parent/Guardian: Darren Cole and Tasha Williams.*
Robert stared at the document.
“Tasha, why are you listed as this child's guardian?””
Tasha didn't answer.
Darren looked at her.
“Wait. You haven't told Marcus?””
Robert slowly turned toward the phone.
“Marcus, I think there's more to this than the money.””
Marcus's voice was almost a whisper.
“What haven't you told me, Tasha?””
She opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, Darren reached into the envelope again.
He pulled out another document.
May you like
A document with a date from eight months earlier.
And a signature that looked exactly like Tasha's.
