Chapter 3

3: 3

The moment Uncle Frank finished speaking, Anthony snatched the registration form away.

"Let's just follow the program for today. I'll explain later."

He folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket, then nodded for the elder to go on.

I was ready to leave, but Uncle Frank reminded me the donation receipt and the side-wing handover papers had to be collected together after the ceremony.

My name had already been struck from the five hundred thousand dollars. I couldn't walk out without even the proof of what I'd paid.

The elder put away the correction form.

"Since the person who filed the records hasn't submitted a change, today we read from the sealed pages as they stand."

Margaret let out a breath and nudged Serena toward the offering table.

"Hurry, bring Little Marcus to bow to the ancestors. Don't miss the hour."

Marcus knelt beside Anthony and bowed three times, following his lead.

The elder lifted a wooden tablet carved with the James name from the tray and hung it around the boy's neck.

"Now that he's in the records, he comes back for every memorial from now on."

Marcus looked up at Anthony.

"Uncle Anthony, can I stand up front with you from now on?"

Anthony rested a hand on his head.

"You can."

Margaret told him to change how he addressed her, and he called out "Grandma" at once.

Serena eased the boy a little closer to Anthony's side.

Anthony didn't stop her.

When the ceremony ended, the family moved to the side wing for the completion dinner.

The steward handling the handover passed Anthony a ring of brass keys.

"Payments from this branch's members and their spouses all count as this branch's pledge, and donor names are listed separately according to who actually paid."

"The five hundred thousand has cleared. The side wing is handed over on a temporary basis for now, and use rights will be confirmed after the books are reconciled at month's end."

Anthony took the keys and turned to press them into Serena's palm.

"The two rooms on the east side are bedrooms, and the kitchen's fully stocked."

"When you and Little Marcus come back for the memorials, you'll stay here."

"This is meant for you and your wife to live in. It wouldn't be right for me to keep it."

"Brenda and I don't usually come back. It'll just sit empty otherwise."

"You live close by, and you can look after Mom for me too."

I looked at the ring of keys and didn't step forward.

Before the side wing was renovated, Anthony had pointed at the east windows and said this would become our home in the James family.

After the five hundred thousand cleared, he sent me photos of the work and asked whether to paint the window frames walnut or natural wood.

I chose natural wood.

Now Marcus's toys were piled under the new windows, and the cartoon stickers he liked were stuck on the door.

Two freshly unpacked suitcases stood by the doorway.

Serena saw me staring and offered an explanation on her own.

"Margaret asked me to move our things in today. Little Marcus wants to stay with Grandma for a few days over the weekend."

"When did you give her the side wing?"

Anthony followed my gaze.

"I decided a few days ago."

"Did you ask me?"

"The temporary use rights belong to my branch. I decide who lives here. Since when do I need to ask you?"

"I paid for the renovation."

"You paid to restore the chapel. Were you expecting to buy up the James family's courtyard too?"

There was already impatience in his voice.

"You come back what, a few times a year? What does it cost you to let her stay a few days?"

I was about to speak when the accountant handling the restoration books came over, folder in his arms.

"Anthony, your branch's final payment has to be settled before month's end."

Anthony didn't take it. He just lifted his chin toward me.

"Give it to her."

The accountant put a payment slip into my hand.

Anthony's branch had pledged eight hundred thousand dollars, of which five hundred thousand had cleared.

Remaining balance due: three hundred thousand.

In the payer field, my name was already printed.

I looked up at him.

He had bent down to slide the keys into Serena's handbag, testing the clasp twice to make sure it wouldn't come loose.

The accountant pressed me to sign for it.

"Anthony said the money at home has always been managed by you, Ms. Henson, so this three hundred thousand is still for you to pay."