
It was $48,216.73.
Sylvie was convinced it was just a glitch. But no. As the manager revealed, although it began with $2,000, every month for five years, Walter had been putting in some of his pension into the bank account, “memo: For Sylvie’s due.”
She then opened the letter Walter left for her.
In it, he confessed that he did not tell her the true amount since he knew very well that she would never accept it from him considering how proud she was. Further, he told her that this was not an act of kindness nor a gift but a debt. He enumerated all the things she has done for which she was owed to. The last sentence almost broke her: “This money is not charity; it’s what you are owed.”
He had seen through it all. He knew everything about how much she had sacrificed for him. Just that he had never mustered up the courage to tell her.