PART\u00a01\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The\u00a0Credit\u00a0That\u00a0Wasn\u2019t\u00a0Mine<\/b><\/p>\n
My\u00a0name\u00a0is\u00a0Jennifer\u00a0Michaels,\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0spent\u00a0twenty-eight\u00a0years\u00a0believing\u00a0that\u00a0family\u00a0loyalty\u00a0meant\u00a0something.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u00a0spent\u00a0twenty-eight\u00a0years\u00a0thinking\u00a0blood\u00a0ties\u00a0created\u00a0obligations\u00a0that\u00a0transcended\u00a0logic\u2014that\u00a0betrayal\u00a0from\u00a0family\u00a0members\u00a0was\u00a0somehow\u00a0different\u00a0than\u00a0betrayal\u00a0from\u00a0strangers\u00a0because\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a0you\u00a0could\u00a0understand\u00a0the\u00a0motivation.<\/p>\n
Then\u00a0my\u00a0sister\u00a0took\u00a0everything\u00a0from\u00a0me,\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0learned\u00a0that\u00a0family\u00a0loyalty\u00a0is\u00a0often\u00a0just\u00a0another\u00a0word\u00a0for\u00a0enablement.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0started\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0Tuesday\u00a0afternoon\u00a0in\u00a0my\u00a0real\u00a0estate\u00a0agent\u2019s\u00a0office.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0saving\u00a0for\u00a0seven\u00a0years\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0down\u00a0payment\u00a0on\u00a0my\u00a0first\u00a0home\u2014seven\u00a0years\u00a0of\u00a0overtime,\u00a0skipping\u00a0vacations,\u00a0declining\u00a0dinner\u00a0invitations\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0putting\u00a0money\u00a0into\u00a0a\u00a0savings\u00a0account\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0into\u00a0my\u00a0life.\u00a0Seven\u00a0years\u00a0of\u00a0delayed\u00a0gratification\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0wanted\u00a0something\u00a0that\u00a0felt\u00a0truly\u00a0mine.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u00a0sat\u00a0across\u00a0from\u00a0Susan,\u00a0my\u00a0real\u00a0estate\u00a0agent,\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0pre-approval\u00a0letter\u00a0in\u00a0hand\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0accomplishment\u00a0that\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0building\u00a0for\u00a0weeks.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d\u00a0found\u00a0the\u00a0house\u2014a\u00a0small\u00a0craftsman-style\u00a0home\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0quiet\u00a0neighborhood.\u00a0A\u00a0backyard\u00a0that\u00a0got\u00a0morning\u00a0light.\u00a0A\u00a0kitchen\u00a0that\u00a0made\u00a0me\u00a0happy\u00a0every\u00a0time\u00a0I\u00a0walked\u00a0into\u00a0it.\u00a0The\u00a0mortgage\u00a0was\u00a0manageable.\u00a0The\u00a0neighborhood\u00a0was\u00a0good.<\/p>\n
This\u00a0was\u00a0happening.\u00a0This\u00a0was\u00a0real.<\/p>\n
Susan\u00a0pulled\u00a0up\u00a0my\u00a0credit\u00a0report\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0computer,\u00a0and\u00a0her\u00a0face\u00a0changed\u2014not\u00a0dramatically.\u00a0Just\u00a0a\u00a0slight\u00a0shift,\u00a0a\u00a0barely\u00a0perceptible\u00a0tightening\u00a0around\u00a0her\u00a0eyes\u00a0that\u00a0told\u00a0me\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0found\u00a0something\u00a0she\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0say\u00a0out\u00a0loud.<\/p>\n
\u201cJennifer,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0said\u00a0carefully,\u00a0\u201ccan\u00a0we\u00a0talk\u00a0about\u00a0your\u00a0credit\u00a0situation?\u201d<\/p>\n
My\u00a0stomach\u00a0dropped\u00a0before\u00a0she\u00a0even\u00a0finished\u00a0the\u00a0sentence.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0knew\u00a0my\u00a0credit\u00a0was\u00a0good.\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0a\u00a0credit\u00a0card\u00a0I\u00a0paid\u00a0off\u00a0monthly.\u00a0Zero\u00a0balance.\u00a0A\u00a0car\u00a0loan\u00a0I\u00a0paid\u00a0on\u00a0time.\u00a0No\u00a0late\u00a0payments.\u00a0No\u00a0missed\u00a0bills.\u00a0No\u00a0reason\u00a0for\u00a0my\u00a0credit\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0anything\u00a0other\u00a0than\u00a0solid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0mean?\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0asked.<\/p>\n
Susan\u00a0turned\u00a0her\u00a0computer\u00a0screen\u00a0toward\u00a0me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour\u00a0credit\u00a0score\u00a0is\u00a0412.\u00a0There\u00a0are\u00a0six\u00a0credit\u00a0card\u00a0accounts\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0name\u00a0that\u00a0were\u00a0opened\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0last\u00a0three\u00a0years.\u00a0Combined\u00a0debt\u00a0is\u00a0$67,438.\u00a0There\u00a0are\u00a0multiple\u00a0late\u00a0payments,\u00a0multiple\u00a0over-limit\u00a0fees,\u00a0multiple\u00a0accounts\u00a0in\u00a0collections.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0words\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0make\u00a0sense.<\/p>\n
They\u00a0were\u00a0English\u00a0words\u00a0arranged\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0grammatically\u00a0correct\u00a0sentence,\u00a0but\u00a0they\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0apply\u00a0to\u00a0me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0think\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0been\u00a0a\u00a0mistake,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But\u00a0I\u00a0already\u00a0knew\u00a0there\u00a0hadn\u2019t\u00a0been\u00a0a\u00a0mistake.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0already\u00a0knew,\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0sinking\u00a0certainty\u00a0that\u00a0made\u00a0me\u00a0feel\u00a0physically\u00a0ill,\u00a0exactly\u00a0who\u00a0had\u00a0done\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0sister,\u00a0Rebecca,\u00a0was\u00a0three\u00a0years\u00a0younger\u00a0than\u00a0me,\u00a0and\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0always\u00a0been\u00a0the\u00a0favored\u00a0child.<\/p>\n
Our\u00a0parents\u00a0had\u00a0given\u00a0her\u00a0everything\u2014college\u00a0paid\u00a0in\u00a0full,\u00a0a\u00a0car\u00a0for\u00a0her\u00a0sixteenth\u00a0birthday,\u00a0money\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0wedding\u00a0I\u00a0helped\u00a0plan\u00a0because\u00a0she\u00a0asked\u00a0me\u00a0to.\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0reliable\u00a0one.\u00a0The\u00a0responsible\u00a0one.\u00a0The\u00a0one\u00a0who\u00a0had\u00a0her\u00a0life\u00a0together.<\/p>\n
Rebecca\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0free\u00a0spirit\u2014the\u00a0one\u00a0who\u00a0was\u00a0always\u00a0in\u00a0some\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0financial\u00a0crisis,\u00a0always\u00a0asking\u00a0our\u00a0parents\u00a0for\u00a0money,\u00a0always\u00a0bailed\u00a0out.<\/p>\n
When\u00a0she\u00a0married\u00a0Marcus,\u00a0everyone\u00a0assumed\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0finally\u00a0settling\u00a0down.\u00a0Marcus\u00a0came\u00a0from\u00a0money.\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0seemed\u00a0happy.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0maybe\u00a0our\u00a0parents\u00a0finally\u00a0thought\u00a0the\u00a0burden\u00a0had\u00a0ended.<\/p>\n
But\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0never\u00a0stopped\u00a0being\u00a0a\u00a0financial\u00a0burden.\u00a0She\u00a0just\u00a0expanded\u00a0who\u00a0she\u00a0could\u00a0burden.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0left\u00a0Susan\u2019s\u00a0office\u00a0that\u00a0day\u00a0and\u00a0drove\u00a0straight\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0police\u00a0station.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0filed\u00a0a\u00a0report\u00a0for\u00a0identity\u00a0theft.\u00a0I\u00a0brought\u00a0documentation\u2014the\u00a0credit\u00a0report,\u00a0the\u00a0list\u00a0of\u00a0fraudulent\u00a0accounts,\u00a0everything.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0detective\u00a0who\u00a0took\u00a0my\u00a0report\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0woman\u00a0named\u00a0Martinez.\u00a0She\u00a0listened\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0expression\u00a0of\u00a0someone\u00a0who\u00a0had\u00a0heard\u00a0this\u00a0story\u00a0more\u00a0times\u00a0than\u00a0she\u00a0wanted.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0any\u00a0idea\u00a0who\u00a0did\u00a0this?\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0asked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMy\u00a0sister,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0words\u00a0tasted\u00a0like\u00a0betrayal\u00a0and\u00a0confirmation\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0time.\u00a0\u201cRebecca\u00a0Michaels.\u00a0Well,\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0Thornton\u00a0now.\u00a0She\u2019s\u00a0married.\u201d<\/p>\n
Detective\u00a0Martinez\u00a0nodded.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ll\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0contact\u00a0her,\u00a0investigate,\u00a0gather\u00a0evidence.\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0a\u00a0process,\u00a0but\u00a0you\u00a0did\u00a0the\u00a0right\u00a0thing\u00a0coming\u00a0in.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u00a0nodded,\u00a0but\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0feel\u00a0like\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0done\u00a0the\u00a0right\u00a0thing.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0felt\u00a0like\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0done\u00a0something\u00a0terrible\u2014something\u00a0that\u00a0would\u00a0break\u00a0my\u00a0family\u00a0apart,\u00a0something\u00a0that\u00a0could\u00a0never\u00a0be\u00a0fixed.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0went\u00a0home\u00a0and\u00a0called\u00a0my\u00a0parents.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0told\u00a0them\u00a0what\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0discovered.\u00a0I\u00a0told\u00a0them\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0filing\u00a0a\u00a0police\u00a0report.\u00a0I\u00a0told\u00a0them\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0had\u00a0stolen\u00a0my\u00a0identity\u00a0and\u00a0opened\u00a0credit\u00a0cards\u00a0in\u00a0my\u00a0name.<\/p>\n
There\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0long\u00a0silence\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0phone.\u00a0The\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0silence\u00a0that\u00a0contains\u00a0entire\u00a0conversations\u2014conversations\u00a0about\u00a0how\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0supposed\u00a0to\u00a0behave,\u00a0not\u00a0what\u00a0happened.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0mother\u00a0finally\u00a0said,\u00a0\u201cJennifer,\u00a0are\u00a0you\u00a0sure\u00a0about\u00a0this?\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u00a0was\u00a0sure.<\/p>\n
But\u00a0the\u00a0question\u00a0suggested\u00a0certainty\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0matter\u00a0as\u00a0much\u00a0as\u00a0family\u00a0dynamics.\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0supposed\u00a0to\u00a0handle\u00a0it\u00a0differently.\u00a0Softer.\u00a0Quietly.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0father\u00a0picked\u00a0up.\u00a0\u201cThis\u00a0seems\u00a0extreme,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cRebecca\u00a0has\u00a0made\u00a0mistakes,\u00a0but\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0family.\u00a0Can\u2019t\u00a0you\u00a0just\u00a0help\u00a0her\u00a0pay\u00a0it\u00a0back?\u00a0Can\u2019t\u00a0you\u00a0just\u00a0let\u00a0it\u00a0go?\u201d<\/p>\n
As\u00a0if\u00a0the\u00a0debt\u00a0was\u00a0an\u00a0embarrassment\u00a0rather\u00a0than\u00a0a\u00a0financial\u00a0crime.<\/p>\n
As\u00a0if\u00a0my\u00a0sister\u00a0had\u00a0borrowed\u00a0twenty\u00a0dollars\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0stealing\u00a0my\u00a0future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0let\u00a0it\u00a0go,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cThis\u00a0is\u00a0my\u00a0credit.\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0my\u00a0life.\u00a0This\u00a0affects\u00a0whether\u00a0I\u00a0can\u00a0buy\u00a0a\u00a0house.\u00a0This\u00a0affects\u00a0whether\u00a0I\u00a0can\u00a0rent\u00a0an\u00a0apartment.\u00a0This\u00a0affects\u00a0everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s\u00a0family,\u201d\u00a0my\u00a0mother\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cFamily\u00a0takes\u00a0care\u00a0of\u00a0family.\u00a0Family\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0send\u00a0their\u00a0sister\u00a0to\u00a0prison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u00a0committed\u00a0a\u00a0crime,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said,\u00a0but\u00a0I\u00a0could\u00a0already\u00a0feel\u00a0the\u00a0pressure\u00a0in\u00a0my\u00a0chest\u2014the\u00a0weight\u00a0of\u00a0expectation.\u00a0The\u00a0sense\u00a0that\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0supposed\u00a0to\u00a0choose\u00a0loyalty\u00a0over\u00a0justice.<\/p>\n
Rebecca\u2019s\u00a0voice\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0phone\u00a0was\u00a0defensive.\u00a0Angry,\u00a0too\u2014like\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0one\u00a0who\u00a0had\u00a0wronged\u00a0her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0even\u00a0using\u00a0your\u00a0credit,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cYou\u00a0had\u00a0money\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0bank.\u00a0You\u00a0had\u00a0a\u00a0good\u00a0job.\u00a0I\u00a0needed\u00a0help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0needed\u00a0the\u00a0money\u00a0for\u00a0my\u00a0kids\u2019\u00a0school\u00a0tuition,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0continued,\u00a0\u201cfor\u00a0our\u00a0mortgage\u00a0payment,\u00a0for\u00a0Marcus\u2019s\u00a0business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u00a0had\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a0enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0how\u00a0this\u00a0works,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0an\u00a0excuse.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0an\u00a0exception.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0was\u00a0still\u00a0a\u00a0crime\u00a0against\u00a0me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re\u00a0being\u00a0selfish,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0replied.\u00a0\u201cFamily\u00a0helps\u00a0each\u00a0other.\u201d<\/p>\n
But\u00a0family,\u00a0I\u00a0learned,\u00a0does\u00a0not\u00a0steal\u00a0from\u00a0each\u00a0other.<\/p>\n
Family\u00a0does\u00a0not\u00a0rationalize\u00a0crime.<\/p>\n
Family\u00a0does\u00a0not\u00a0act\u00a0like\u00a0the\u00a0victim\u00a0when\u00a0they\u00a0are\u00a0caught\u00a0committing\u00a0fraud.<\/p>\n
Detective\u00a0Martinez\u00a0obtained\u00a0a\u00a0warrant\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0my\u00a0evidence.<\/p>\n
Rebecca\u00a0was\u00a0arrested\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0Tuesday\u00a0morning\u00a0in\u00a0front\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0two\u00a0children\u00a0while\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0dropping\u00a0them\u00a0off\u00a0at\u00a0school.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0arrest\u00a0became\u00a0news\u2014not\u00a0national\u00a0news,\u00a0but\u00a0local.\u00a0The\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0news\u00a0people\u00a0talked\u00a0about\u00a0at\u00a0grocery\u00a0stores\u00a0and\u00a0passed\u00a0along\u00a0like\u00a0gossip\u00a0you\u00a0could\u00a0hold.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0sister\u2014the\u00a0thief.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0sister\u2014the\u00a0criminal.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0sister\u2014arrested\u00a0in\u00a0front\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0children.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0parents\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0speak\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0after\u00a0that.<\/p>\n
They\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0return\u00a0my\u00a0calls.<\/p>\n
They\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0respond\u00a0to\u00a0my\u00a0texts.<\/p>\n
They\u00a0simply\u00a0went\u00a0silent,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0silence\u00a0was\u00a0louder\u00a0than\u00a0any\u00a0words\u00a0they\u00a0could\u00a0have\u00a0chosen.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0understood\u00a0what\u00a0it\u00a0meant:\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0chosen\u00a0my\u00a0own\u00a0life\u00a0over\u00a0family\u00a0loyalty.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0judged\u00a0for\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0trial\u00a0took\u00a0eight\u00a0months.<\/p>\n
Rebecca\u00a0hired\u00a0an\u00a0attorney\u00a0and\u00a0pleaded\u00a0guilty\u00a0to\u00a0six\u00a0counts\u00a0of\u00a0identity\u00a0theft\u00a0and\u00a0fraud.<\/p>\n
She\u00a0was\u00a0sentenced\u00a0to\u00a0three\u00a0years\u00a0in\u00a0prison\u2014with\u00a0the\u00a0requirement\u00a0that\u00a0she\u00a0pay\u00a0restitution.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0credit\u00a0was\u00a0ruined.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0dream\u00a0of\u00a0buying\u00a0a\u00a0house\u00a0was\u00a0delayed.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0relationship\u00a0with\u00a0my\u00a0family\u00a0was\u00a0destroyed.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0won\u00a0a\u00a0Pyrrhic\u00a0victory\u2014justice\u00a0served,\u00a0but\u00a0the\u00a0cost\u00a0was\u00a0everything\u00a0else.<\/p>\n
Then,\u00a0six\u00a0months\u00a0into\u00a0Rebecca\u2019s\u00a0sentence,\u00a0a\u00a0letter\u00a0arrived\u00a0at\u00a0my\u00a0apartment.<\/p>\n
PART\u00a02\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The\u00a0Secret\u00a0That\u00a0Changed\u00a0Everything<\/b><\/p>\n
The\u00a0letter\u00a0sat\u00a0on\u00a0my\u00a0kitchen\u00a0counter\u00a0for\u00a0three\u00a0days\u00a0before\u00a0I\u00a0opened\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0stared\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0envelope\u2014the\u00a0careful\u00a0handwriting\u00a0of\u00a0my\u00a0mother,\u00a0the\u00a0postmark\u00a0from\u00a0our\u00a0hometown,\u00a0the\u00a0weight\u00a0of\u00a0whatever\u00a0was\u00a0inside.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0check\u00a0for\u00a0$67,000.<\/p>\n
Money\u00a0that\u00a0would\u00a0fix\u00a0everything\u00a0financially\u2014but\u00a0could\u00a0not\u00a0fix\u00a0what\u00a0actually\u00a0mattered.<\/p>\n
When\u00a0I\u00a0finally\u00a0opened\u00a0it,\u00a0my\u00a0hands\u00a0shook.<\/p>\n
\u201cJennifer,\u201d\u00a0the\u00a0note\u00a0began.\u00a0My\u00a0mother\u2019s\u00a0cursive\u00a0was\u00a0precise,\u00a0almost\u00a0controlled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0sending\u00a0this\u00a0because\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0the\u00a0right\u00a0thing\u00a0to\u00a0do,\u00a0and\u00a0because\u00a0your\u00a0father\u00a0would\u00a0never\u00a0approve\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0about\u00a0to\u00a0tell\u00a0you.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s\u00a0something\u00a0about\u00a0your\u00a0sister\u00a0you\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0know.\u00a0Something\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0been\u00a0hiding\u00a0for\u00a0longer\u00a0than\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0imagine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe\u00a0reason\u00a0she\u00a0needed\u00a0money\u00a0so\u00a0desperately\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0just\u00a0poor\u00a0planning\u00a0or\u00a0greed\u2014though\u00a0she\u00a0has\u00a0both\u00a0in\u00a0abundance.<\/p>\n
\u201cSix\u00a0months\u00a0before\u00a0she\u00a0opened\u00a0those\u00a0credit\u00a0cards,\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0attempted\u00a0suicide.\u00a0She\u00a0never\u00a0told\u00a0you.\u00a0She\u00a0never\u00a0told\u00a0your\u00a0father.\u00a0She\u00a0only\u00a0told\u00a0me\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0found\u00a0her\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0bathroom\u00a0floor\u00a0with\u00a0an\u00a0empty\u00a0bottle\u00a0of\u00a0sleeping\u00a0pills,\u00a0and\u00a0she\u00a0begged\u00a0me\u00a0not\u00a0to\u00a0tell\u00a0anyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u00a0was\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0psychiatric\u00a0hospital\u00a0for\u00a0two\u00a0weeks\u00a0under\u00a0a\u00a0fake\u00a0name.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen\u00a0she\u00a0got\u00a0out,\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0supposed\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0on\u00a0medication,\u00a0supposed\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0in\u00a0therapy,\u00a0but\u00a0she\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0managing\u00a0it.\u00a0Marcus\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0know.\u00a0Her\u00a0kids\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0know.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u00a0was\u00a0drowning,\u00a0Jennifer,\u00a0and\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0reaching\u00a0out\u00a0to\u00a0you\u00a0or\u00a0telling\u00a0your\u00a0father\u00a0or\u00a0getting\u00a0real\u00a0help,\u00a0she\u00a0stole\u00a0from\u00a0you.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0not\u00a0making\u00a0an\u00a0excuse\u00a0for\u00a0what\u00a0she\u00a0did.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u00a0she\u00a0did\u00a0was\u00a0wrong.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0crime\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0betrayal\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0was\u00a0unforgivable.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u00a0I\u00a0wanted\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0understand\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0sister\u00a0who\u00a0stole\u00a0your\u00a0identity\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0the\u00a0sister\u00a0you\u00a0knew.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0sister\u00a0in\u00a0crisis,\u00a0a\u00a0sister\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0mental\u00a0illness\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0too\u00a0ashamed\u00a0to\u00a0admit\u2014a\u00a0sister\u00a0who\u00a0convinced\u00a0herself\u00a0that\u00a0robbing\u00a0you\u00a0was\u00a0better\u00a0than\u00a0asking\u00a0for\u00a0help\u00a0because\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a0then\u00a0nobody\u00a0would\u00a0know\u00a0that\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0broken.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour\u00a0father\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0know\u00a0any\u00a0of\u00a0this.\u00a0He\u00a0still\u00a0thinks\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0is\u00a0simply\u00a0irresponsible\u2014that\u00a0she\u00a0made\u00a0bad\u00a0choices\u00a0and\u00a0faced\u00a0consequences.\u00a0He\u00a0still\u00a0thinks\u00a0you\u00a0were\u00a0cruel\u00a0for\u00a0pressing\u00a0charges\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0protecting\u00a0the\u00a0family\u00a0secret.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0understand\u00a0that\u00a0his\u00a0daughter\u00a0needs\u00a0psychiatric\u00a0care,\u00a0not\u00a0punishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0sending\u00a0you\u00a0this\u00a0money\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0believe\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0owed\u00a0it,\u00a0and\u00a0because\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0asking\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0consider\u00a0something:\u00a0Rebecca\u2019s\u00a0sentence\u00a0ends\u00a0in\u00a0eighteen\u00a0months.\u00a0When\u00a0she\u00a0gets\u00a0out,\u00a0she\u00a0will\u00a0need\u00a0help.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot\u00a0from\u00a0me,\u00a0not\u00a0from\u00a0your\u00a0father,\u00a0and\u00a0certainly\u00a0not\u00a0from\u00a0her\u00a0children,\u00a0who\u00a0are\u00a0already\u00a0struggling\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0shame\u00a0of\u00a0having\u00a0a\u00a0mother\u00a0in\u00a0prison.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u00a0will\u00a0need\u00a0someone\u00a0who\u00a0understands\u00a0what\u00a0it\u00a0means\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0broken\u00a0by\u00a0your\u00a0own\u00a0mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0know\u00a0what\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0asking.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0know\u00a0that\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0asking\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0forgive\u00a0someone\u00a0who\u00a0hurt\u00a0you\u00a0terribly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0not\u00a0asking\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0forget\u00a0what\u00a0she\u00a0did.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0asking\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0consider\u00a0whether\u00a0punishment\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0as\u00a0justice\u2014and\u00a0whether\u00a0justice\u00a0means\u00a0nothing\u00a0if\u00a0it\u00a0destroys\u00a0everyone\u00a0involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0love\u00a0you.\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0always\u00a0loved\u00a0you.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0sorry\u00a0it\u00a0took\u00a0losing\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0me\u00a0finally\u00a0do\u00a0the\u00a0right\u00a0thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u00a0read\u00a0the\u00a0letter\u00a0five\u00a0times.<\/p>\n
Each\u00a0time,\u00a0a\u00a0different\u00a0feeling\u00a0overwhelmed\u00a0me\u2014anger,\u00a0sadness,\u00a0confusion,\u00a0a\u00a0complicated\u00a0grief\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0sister\u00a0who\u00a0was\u00a0alive\u00a0but\u00a0lost.\u00a0A\u00a0sister\u00a0who\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0suffering\u00a0in\u00a0silence\u00a0while\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0angry\u00a0at\u00a0her\u00a0for\u00a0being\u00a0careless\u00a0and\u00a0selfish.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0Rebecca\u2019s\u00a0two\u00a0children\u2014eight\u00a0and\u00a0six\u00a0years\u00a0old\u2014visiting\u00a0her\u00a0in\u00a0prison,\u00a0trying\u00a0to\u00a0understand\u00a0why\u00a0their\u00a0mother\u00a0was\u00a0there,\u00a0why\u00a0their\u00a0father\u00a0was\u00a0so\u00a0angry,\u00a0why\u00a0their\u00a0grandmother\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0talk\u00a0about\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0prison\u00a0cell\u2014medicated\u00a0or\u00a0not\u2014carrying\u00a0shame\u00a0not\u00a0just\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0crime,\u00a0but\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0mental\u00a0illness.\u00a0The\u00a0stigma\u00a0that\u00a0had\u00a0made\u00a0confessing\u00a0feel\u00a0worse\u00a0than\u00a0stealing.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0my\u00a0parents.\u00a0My\u00a0father\u00a0still\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0dark.\u00a0My\u00a0mother\u00a0carrying\u00a0a\u00a0secret\u00a0that\u00a0was\u00a0destroying\u00a0her\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0inside\u00a0out.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0I\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0my\u00a0own\u00a0anger.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0anger\u00a0that\u00a0had\u00a0felt\u00a0righteous.<\/p>\n
Justified.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0now\u00a0felt\u00a0like\u00a0something\u00a0more\u00a0complicated\u2014a\u00a0weapon\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0wielded\u00a0without\u00a0understanding\u00a0the\u00a0full\u00a0context\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0fighting.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0forgive\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0immediately.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0was\u00a0beginning\u00a0to\u00a0understand\u00a0forgiveness\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0a\u00a0single\u00a0moment\u00a0of\u00a0decision.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0process\u2014messy\u00a0and\u00a0non-linear\u2014where\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0to\u00a0hold\u00a0two\u00a0truths\u00a0simultaneously:<\/p>\n
That\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0harmed\u00a0me\u00a0terribly.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0that\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0harmed\u00a0terribly.<\/p>\n
That\u00a0what\u00a0she\u00a0did\u00a0was\u00a0wrong.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0that\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0sick\u00a0when\u00a0she\u00a0did\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
That\u00a0justice\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0served.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0that\u00a0justice\u00a0had\u00a0also\u00a0been\u00a0cruel.<\/p>\n
PART\u00a03\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The\u00a0Question\u00a0I\u00a0Asked<\/b><\/p>\n
I\u00a0called\u00a0Detective\u00a0Martinez\u00a0the\u00a0next\u00a0day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0question,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cIn\u00a0the\u00a0investigation,\u00a0did\u00a0you\u00a0find\u00a0any\u00a0evidence\u00a0of\u00a0mental\u00a0health\u00a0crisis?\u00a0Therapy\u00a0records,\u00a0hospital\u00a0visits,\u00a0anything\u00a0like\u00a0that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Martinez\u00a0was\u00a0quiet\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually,\u00a0yes,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cThere\u00a0were\u00a0some\u00a0records\u00a0that\u00a0came\u00a0up\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0background\u00a0check,\u00a0but\u00a0they\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0seem\u00a0relevant\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0case.\u00a0She\u2019d\u00a0had\u00a0a\u00a0psychiatric\u00a0hospitalization\u00a0about\u00a0seven\u00a0months\u00a0before\u00a0the\u00a0identity\u00a0theft.\u00a0Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause\u00a0I\u00a0think\u00a0you\u00a0charged\u00a0a\u00a0sick\u00a0person\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0helping\u00a0her,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd\u00a0I\u00a0think\u00a0I\u00a0let\u00a0you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJennifer,\u201d\u00a0Martinez\u00a0said\u00a0gently,\u00a0\u201cthat\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0how\u00a0the\u00a0law\u00a0works.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mental\u00a0illness\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0a\u00a0legal\u00a0defense\u00a0for\u00a0fraud.\u00a0She\u00a0still\u00a0committed\u00a0a\u00a0crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0know,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u00a0maybe\u00a0there\u00a0was\u00a0another\u00a0way.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0it\u00a0for\u00a0months\u2014about\u00a0whether\u00a0there\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0another\u00a0way,\u00a0whether\u00a0I\u00a0could\u00a0have\u00a0chosen\u00a0differently,\u00a0whether\u00a0family\u00a0loyalty\u00a0and\u00a0justice\u00a0were\u00a0truly\u00a0as\u00a0mutually\u00a0exclusive\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0believed.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0started\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0therapy\u00a0myself.<\/p>\n
Not\u00a0to\u00a0soften\u00a0what\u00a0happened.<\/p>\n
To\u00a0process\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
To\u00a0understand\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0learned\u00a0about\u00a0mental\u00a0illness\u00a0and\u00a0crime.\u00a0About\u00a0the\u00a0ways\u00a0shame\u00a0and\u00a0secrecy\u00a0and\u00a0stigma\u00a0create\u00a0conditions\u00a0where\u00a0people\u00a0hurt\u00a0others.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0learned\u00a0that\u00a0forgiving\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0mean\u00a0forgetting.<\/p>\n
Protecting\u00a0yourself\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0mean\u00a0destroying\u00a0others.<\/p>\n
Justice\u00a0and\u00a0compassion\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0always\u00a0opposites.<\/p>\n
PART\u00a04\u00a0\u2014\u00a0What\u00a0I\u00a0Chose\u00a0After\u00a0the\u00a0Letter<\/b><\/p>\n
I\u00a0deposited\u00a0my\u00a0mother\u2019s\u00a0check\u00a0into\u00a0a\u00a0separate\u00a0account.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0use\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0buy\u00a0a\u00a0house.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0used\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0hire\u00a0a\u00a0better\u00a0attorney\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0appeals\u00a0process\u2014because\u00a0I\u00a0wanted\u00a0Rebecca\u2019s\u00a0case\u00a0reviewed\u00a0with\u00a0consideration\u00a0for\u00a0her\u00a0mental\u00a0state\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0time\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0crime.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0advocated\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0reduced\u00a0sentence\u00a0with\u00a0mandatory\u00a0psychiatric\u00a0care\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0pure\u00a0incarceration.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0took\u00a0two\u00a0years,\u00a0but\u00a0Rebecca\u2019s\u00a0sentence\u00a0was\u00a0reduced\u00a0to\u00a0eighteen\u00a0months,\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0requirement\u00a0for\u00a0ongoing\u00a0psychiatric\u00a0treatment\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0condition\u00a0of\u00a0release.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0father\u00a0eventually\u00a0learned\u00a0the\u00a0truth\u00a0about\u00a0Rebecca\u2019s\u00a0mental\u00a0health\u00a0crisis.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0it\u00a0changed\u00a0how\u00a0he\u00a0saw\u00a0everything\u2014his\u00a0youngest\u00a0daughter,\u00a0his\u00a0wife\u2019s\u00a0secret\u00a0keeping,\u00a0his\u00a0own\u00a0inability\u00a0to\u00a0see\u00a0what\u00a0was\u00a0happening\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0own\u00a0family.<\/p>\n
He\u00a0called\u00a0me\u00a0one\u00a0Sunday\u00a0afternoon,\u00a0and\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0time\u00a0in\u00a0four\u00a0years,\u00a0he\u00a0apologized.<\/p>\n
Not\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0initial\u00a0response\u2014I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0think\u00a0he\u00a0ever\u00a0fully\u00a0got\u00a0there\u2014but\u00a0for\u00a0not\u00a0listening.\u00a0For\u00a0not\u00a0trying\u00a0harder\u00a0to\u00a0understand.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
My\u00a0relationship\u00a0with\u00a0my\u00a0sister\u00a0is\u00a0complicated\u00a0now.<\/p>\n
We\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0close.<\/p>\n
We\u00a0may\u00a0never\u00a0be\u00a0close\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0we\u00a0were\u00a0before.<\/p>\n
But\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0talking.\u00a0And\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0helping\u00a0her\u00a0navigate\u00a0her\u00a0psychiatric\u00a0care.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m\u00a0learning\u00a0to\u00a0see\u00a0her\u2014not\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0sister\u00a0who\u00a0betrayed\u00a0me,\u00a0but\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0sister\u00a0who\u00a0was\u00a0broken\u00a0and\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0know\u00a0how\u00a0to\u00a0ask\u00a0for\u00a0help.<\/p>\n
My\u00a0mother\u2014my\u00a0mother\u2014finally\u00a0got\u00a0to\u00a0tell\u00a0the\u00a0truth.<\/p>\n
Finally\u00a0got\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0honest\u00a0about\u00a0her\u00a0youngest\u00a0daughter\u2019s\u00a0struggle.<\/p>\n
Finally\u00a0got\u00a0to\u00a0stop\u00a0protecting\u00a0everyone\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0cost\u00a0of\u00a0herself.<\/p>\n
Family\u00a0loyalty,\u00a0I\u00a0learned,\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0about\u00a0enabling\u00a0bad\u00a0behavior\u00a0or\u00a0ignoring\u00a0harm.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s\u00a0about\u00a0showing\u00a0up\u00a0even\u00a0when\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0hard.<\/p>\n
Holding\u00a0people\u00a0accountable\u00a0while\u00a0also\u00a0holding\u00a0space\u00a0for\u00a0their\u00a0humanity.<\/p>\n
Understanding\u00a0that\u00a0sometimes\u00a0the\u00a0cruelest\u00a0thing\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0do\u00a0is\u00a0walk\u00a0away.<\/p>\n
And\u00a0sometimes\u00a0the\u00a0kindest\u00a0thing\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0do\u00a0is\u00a0insist\u00a0that\u00a0people\u00a0face\u00a0consequences\u2014while\u00a0also\u00a0insisting\u00a0they\u00a0deserve\u00a0help,\u00a0support,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0possibility\u00a0of\u00a0redemption.<\/p>\n
THE\u00a0END<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PART\u00a01\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The\u00a0Credit\u00a0That\u00a0Wasn\u2019t\u00a0Mine My\u00a0name\u00a0is\u00a0Jennifer\u00a0Michaels,\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0spent\u00a0twenty-eight\u00a0years\u00a0believing\u00a0that\u00a0family\u00a0loyalty\u00a0meant\u00a0something. I\u00a0spent\u00a0twenty-eight\u00a0years\u00a0thinking\u00a0blood\u00a0ties\u00a0created\u00a0obligations\u00a0that\u00a0transcended\u00a0logic\u2014that\u00a0betrayal\u00a0from\u00a0family\u00a0members\u00a0was\u00a0somehow\u00a0different\u00a0than\u00a0betrayal\u00a0from\u00a0strangers\u00a0because\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a0you\u00a0could\u00a0understand\u00a0the\u00a0motivation. Then\u00a0my\u00a0sister\u00a0took\u00a0everything\u00a0from\u00a0me,\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0learned\u00a0that\u00a0family\u00a0loyalty\u00a0is\u00a0often\u00a0just\u00a0another\u00a0word\u00a0for\u00a0enablement. It\u00a0started\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0Tuesday\u00a0afternoon\u00a0in\u00a0my\u00a0real\u00a0estate\u00a0agent\u2019s\u00a0office. I\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0saving\u00a0for\u00a0seven\u00a0years\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0down\u00a0payment\u00a0on\u00a0my\u00a0first\u00a0home\u2014seven\u00a0years\u00a0of\u00a0overtime,\u00a0skipping\u00a0vacations,\u00a0declining\u00a0dinner\u00a0invitations\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0putting\u00a0money\u00a0into\u00a0a\u00a0savings\u00a0account\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0into\u00a0my\u00a0life.\u00a0Seven\u00a0years\u00a0of\u00a0delayed\u00a0gratification\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0wanted\u00a0something\u00a0that\u00a0felt\u00a0truly\u00a0mine. I\u00a0sat\u00a0across\u00a0from\u00a0Susan,\u00a0my\u00a0real\u00a0estate\u00a0agent,\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0pre-approval\u00a0letter\u00a0in\u00a0hand\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0accomplishment\u00a0that\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0building\u00a0for\u00a0weeks. We\u2019d\u00a0found\u00a0the\u00a0house\u2014a\u00a0small\u00a0craftsman-style\u00a0home\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0quiet\u00a0neighborhood.\u00a0A\u00a0backyard\u00a0that\u00a0got\u00a0morning\u00a0light.\u00a0A\u00a0kitchen\u00a0that\u00a0made\u00a0me\u00a0happy\u00a0every\u00a0time\u00a0I\u00a0walked\u00a0into\u00a0it.\u00a0The\u00a0mortgage\u00a0was\u00a0manageable.\u00a0The\u00a0neighborhood\u00a0was\u00a0good. This\u00a0was\u00a0happening.\u00a0This\u00a0was\u00a0real. Susan\u00a0pulled\u00a0up\u00a0my\u00a0credit\u00a0report\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0computer,\u00a0and\u00a0her\u00a0face\u00a0changed\u2014not\u00a0dramatically.\u00a0Just\u00a0a\u00a0slight\u00a0shift,\u00a0a\u00a0barely\u00a0perceptible\u00a0tightening\u00a0around\u00a0her\u00a0eyes\u00a0that\u00a0told\u00a0me\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0found\u00a0something\u00a0she\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0say\u00a0out\u00a0loud. \u201cJennifer,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0said\u00a0carefully,\u00a0\u201ccan\u00a0we\u00a0talk\u00a0about\u00a0your\u00a0credit\u00a0situation?\u201d My\u00a0stomach\u00a0dropped\u00a0before\u00a0she\u00a0even\u00a0finished\u00a0the\u00a0sentence. I\u00a0knew\u00a0my\u00a0credit\u00a0was\u00a0good.\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0a\u00a0credit\u00a0card\u00a0I\u00a0paid\u00a0off\u00a0monthly.\u00a0Zero\u00a0balance.\u00a0A\u00a0car\u00a0loan\u00a0I\u00a0paid\u00a0on\u00a0time.\u00a0No\u00a0late\u00a0payments.\u00a0No\u00a0missed\u00a0bills.\u00a0No\u00a0reason\u00a0for\u00a0my\u00a0credit\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0anything\u00a0other\u00a0than\u00a0solid. \u201cWhat\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0mean?\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0asked. Susan\u00a0turned\u00a0her\u00a0computer\u00a0screen\u00a0toward\u00a0me. \u201cYour\u00a0credit\u00a0score\u00a0is\u00a0412.\u00a0There\u00a0are\u00a0six\u00a0credit\u00a0card\u00a0accounts\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0name\u00a0that\u00a0were\u00a0opened\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0last\u00a0three\u00a0years.\u00a0Combined\u00a0debt\u00a0is\u00a0$67,438.\u00a0There\u00a0are\u00a0multiple\u00a0late\u00a0payments,\u00a0multiple\u00a0over-limit\u00a0fees,\u00a0multiple\u00a0accounts\u00a0in\u00a0collections.\u201d The\u00a0words\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0make\u00a0sense. They\u00a0were\u00a0English\u00a0words\u00a0arranged\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0grammatically\u00a0correct\u00a0sentence,\u00a0but\u00a0they\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0apply\u00a0to\u00a0me. \u201cI\u00a0think\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0been\u00a0a\u00a0mistake,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said. But\u00a0I\u00a0already\u00a0knew\u00a0there\u00a0hadn\u2019t\u00a0been\u00a0a\u00a0mistake. I\u00a0already\u00a0knew,\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0sinking\u00a0certainty\u00a0that\u00a0made\u00a0me\u00a0feel\u00a0physically\u00a0ill,\u00a0exactly\u00a0who\u00a0had\u00a0done\u00a0it. My\u00a0sister,\u00a0Rebecca,\u00a0was\u00a0three\u00a0years\u00a0younger\u00a0than\u00a0me,\u00a0and\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0always\u00a0been\u00a0the\u00a0favored\u00a0child. Our\u00a0parents\u00a0had\u00a0given\u00a0her\u00a0everything\u2014college\u00a0paid\u00a0in\u00a0full,\u00a0a\u00a0car\u00a0for\u00a0her\u00a0sixteenth\u00a0birthday,\u00a0money\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0wedding\u00a0I\u00a0helped\u00a0plan\u00a0because\u00a0she\u00a0asked\u00a0me\u00a0to.\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0reliable\u00a0one.\u00a0The\u00a0responsible\u00a0one.\u00a0The\u00a0one\u00a0who\u00a0had\u00a0her\u00a0life\u00a0together. Rebecca\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0free\u00a0spirit\u2014the\u00a0one\u00a0who\u00a0was\u00a0always\u00a0in\u00a0some\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0financial\u00a0crisis,\u00a0always\u00a0asking\u00a0our\u00a0parents\u00a0for\u00a0money,\u00a0always\u00a0bailed\u00a0out. When\u00a0she\u00a0married\u00a0Marcus,\u00a0everyone\u00a0assumed\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0finally\u00a0settling\u00a0down.\u00a0Marcus\u00a0came\u00a0from\u00a0money.\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0seemed\u00a0happy. And\u00a0maybe\u00a0our\u00a0parents\u00a0finally\u00a0thought\u00a0the\u00a0burden\u00a0had\u00a0ended. But\u00a0Rebecca\u00a0never\u00a0stopped\u00a0being\u00a0a\u00a0financial\u00a0burden.\u00a0She\u00a0just\u00a0expanded\u00a0who\u00a0she\u00a0could\u00a0burden. … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12815","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12815"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12815\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12816,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12815\/revisions\/12816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}