…your daughter-in-law’s sister.”
The “refinance” papers were a loan agreement for $650,000, secured by my paid-off house. The money was going to a beauty spa owned by my daughter-in-law’s sister, Brittany. If the spa failed, the bank would take my home.
“Your son’s signature is on the application as co-borrower,” my attorney said. “He knows exactly what this is.”
I could have stayed home on Christmas. Instead, I accepted the invitation. I asked my attorney, Mr. Lee, if he’d like to join me. He said he’d never been invited to Christmas dinner by a client before. He brought a pie.
When we arrived, my daughter-in-law, Tiffany, went white. She pointed me toward the kitchen. I went, as instructed. Mr. Lee followed me.
After the children had eaten, my son, Kyle, came in with a stack of papers and a pen. “Mom, just sign these before dessert,” he said.
Mr. Lee took the papers from him, read the first page out loud and asked Kyle to explain why his mother’s house was collateral for his sister-in-law’s spa.
The dining room went silent. Brittany’s husband, who hadn’t known any of it, asked his wife what was going on. The argument that followed lasted until midnight. I ate my pie in the kitchen with Mr. Lee and my grandchildren, who thought it was the most exciting Christmas ever.
I signed nothing. Mr. Lee filed a letter with the bank, and the loan application was withdrawn.
Kyle didn’t speak to me for three months. Then, in March, he came over alone and asked if we could start over. Next Christmas, I’m hosting. Everyone gets a seat at the main table. Including Mr. Lee.
