PART 5 – My Son Was Standing in the Cold With His Phone in His Hand, and I Had Never Seen Him Look So Upset

Adam kept the phone raised between us.

I looked at the screen, but I couldn't understand what he wanted me to see.

He was breathing heavily.

His jacket was zipped all the way up, and his fingers were wrapped tightly around the phone.

"Mom, have you seen this?"

I looked at him.

"Seen what?"

He moved the phone closer.

I could tell he was upset.

But I didn't know why.

"Adam, it's barely seven in the morning. What's going on?"

He lowered the phone slightly.

"Did you really do this yesterday?"

I looked at the screen again.

Then I looked back at him.

"What are you talking about?"

He seemed frustrated that I wasn't understanding.

"The donation."

I stood still.

For a moment, I didn't answer.

Then I remembered the paperwork at the community center.

The check.

The conversation with Clare.

The thirty-one thousand dollars.

"Yes," I said.

"I made a donation."

He stared at me.

"All of it?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

He looked down at his phone again.

I noticed his jaw tightening.

"Mom, that's the entire amount from Dad's collection."

"I know where the money came from."

"Thirty-one thousand dollars?"

"That's what the collection sold for after expenses."

He shook his head.

I didn't understand why he was reacting this way.

I had never promised him that money.

I had never told him he could have it.

I had simply mentioned that the collection had sold and that I was considering donating part of the proceeds.

That was all.

Adam stepped closer to the doorway.

"Can I come inside?"

I looked at him.

Then I glanced at the security chain.

I hadn't expected a visit.

Especially not one like this.

"Give me a minute."

I closed the door carefully.

I removed the chain and opened it again.

He walked into the hallway.

His eyes moved toward the kitchen.

My coffee cup was still on the table.

The calendar was visible behind it.

He noticed the crossed-out Christmas lunch.

I noticed him noticing it.

Neither of us said anything.

He held up his phone again.

"Look at this."

I finally took it from him.

The screen showed a public announcement from Westdale Community Resource Center.

The photograph was of Walter.

The same photograph Clare kept behind her desk.

Below it was a message thanking the family of Walter for a generous contribution supporting local families during the winter season.

The amount was listed.

Thirty-one thousand dollars.

I read it twice.

Then I handed the phone back.

"Clare said they would announce it."

Adam looked at me.

"You told them they could put the amount online?"

"Yes."

He rubbed his forehead.

"Mom, why?"

I didn't immediately answer.

Because I thought the reason was obvious.

Because Walter had spent years helping people there.

Because the center needed money.

Because families were waiting for assistance.

But Adam seemed to be asking something else.

I pulled out a chair.

"Would you like some coffee?"

He didn't sit.

"You're asking me about coffee?"

I looked at him.

"I don't know what else you want me to ask."

He finally sat down.

His phone remained in his hand.

I went to the counter and poured another cup.

When I returned, he was staring at the announcement.

I placed the cup in front of him.

He didn't touch it.

"Mom, we need to talk about this."

I sat opposite him.

"Alright."

And for the first time that morning, I realized that the conversation wasn't really about the donation.

It was about money.

Money Adam had apparently been thinking about for quite some time.

Click here to continue reading: PART 6: I Had Mentioned the Auction Proceeds Once, but My Son Spoke as Though I Had Broken a Promise