Frank laughed, a harsh sound. “Still so proud. You know what your problem is, Marcus? You think being poor is noble. You think suffering makes you better than people who actually have money. Well, newsflash, it doesn’t. It just makes you poor. And in ten days it’s going to make you homeless, too.” He gathered up his papers and headed for the door, pausing to look back. “Ten days, Marcus. Then this place is mine.”
After Frank left, the kitchen was silent except for the ticking of the wall clock. Marcus stood with his back to Nathan, his shoulders rigid, and Nathan could practically feel the shame and anger radiating off him in waves. “Marcus,” Nathan said carefully. “Let me help. I have money, more than enough to cover your mortgage and then some. It would be nothing to me.”
“That’s exactly why I can’t take it.” Marcus turned around, and his eyes were bright with unshed tears. “Because it would be nothing to you, a rounding error. But for me, it would mean I saved your life because I expected to get paid for it. It would make me someone who does good things for profit instead of because they’re right.”
“That’s not how I’d see it.” “But it’s how I’d see it, and I have to live with myself, Nathan. That’s all I’ve got left, my self-respect. Take that away and what am I?” Nathan wanted to argue, wanted to point out that self-respect didn’t pay mortgages or send daughters to college, but he could see in Marcus’s face that this wasn’t a rational position. It was something deeper, more fundamental. A man drawing a line and refusing to cross it, even if it cost him everything. It was infuriating and admirable in equal measure.
From the doorway, Alicia’s voice was small and broken. “Dad?” They both turned. She was standing there with tears running down her face, and Nathan realized she’d heard everything. “Dad, if I just defer for a year—” “No,” Marcus said immediately. “Absolutely not.” “But I could work, save up—” “You’re going to college, Alicia. That’s not negotiable.” He crossed to her and pulled her into a hug. “We’ll figure this out, I promise. Your mama made me promise I’d get you there, and I’m keeping that promise.”
Nathan watched them, father and daughter holding each other against the weight of impossible circumstances, and felt something twist in his chest. This was what he’d been watching for the past three days, this fierce love and commitment that didn’t depend on money or circumstances or anything external. This was family in the truest sense, and he had destroyed it.
Nathan set his coffee cup down carefully on the table. “I should go,” he said. “The doctor cleared me yesterday. I’ve imposed on your hospitality long enough.” Marcus pulled back from Alicia, wiping his eyes quickly. “You sure you’re okay to travel?” “I’m fine, and I’ve already caused you enough trouble.” “Nathan,” Marcus started, but Nathan was already moving toward the guest room to gather his few belongings.