The Hidden Ledger and the Reckoning of the Hart Family Foundation
Daniel walked in carrying a cardboard box.
“Where do you want these?” he asked.
“Just put them on the credenza,” I said.
The box contained my mother’s original diaries and the blue leather ledger.
I took the ledger out and placed it in the center of the desk.
Rachel entered a moment later, holding a folder of new bylaws.
“The board has approved the restructuring,” Rachel said.
“You have sole voting power now, Claire.”
“The foundation is yours.”
“Thank you, Rachel,” I said.
“We have a lot of work to do.”
“The local clinics need the funding we promised them last year.”
“I’ve already drafted the wire transfers,” Daniel said.
He handed me a tablet.
I reviewed the figures.
These were real donations, going to real people.
I pressed the screen to authorize the transactions.
The blue ledger sat beside the tablet, a reminder of the cost of this moment.
I touched the worn leather cover of the book.
My mother’s handwriting inside was a testament to what had been saved.
The rain began to patter against the windowpane.
I looked at Daniel and Rachel.
“Let’s get to work,” I said.