Chapter 21 - LEO LEARNS THE NUMBERS
At eighteen, Leo met his independent trustee.
The protected interests his great-grandfather created were worth substantial money.
Not billionaire money.
Enough to change a life.
He hated hearing the number.
“Is this because Grandma hit me?”
“No.”
“Because Mom’s account got stolen?”
“No.”
“These rights existed before.”
“Then why did nobody tell me?”
“Because you were four.”
That answer worked better at eighteen than it would have at six.
Leo received financial education.
Taxes.
Diversification.
Governance rights.
Conflicts.
He could not simply withdraw everything immediately.
Some assets remained structured.
He asked whether he should refuse the money because people hurt us over it.
His adviser said:
“That would still let their conduct decide what you do.”
Leo kept lawful benefits.
College.
Savings.
A modest apartment later.
He did not buy a sports car.
Not because restraint proved virtue.
He simply did not care about cars.
His first large personal purchase was a professional camera.
He studied documentary filmmaking.
I almost panicked.
After everything our family endured, my son wanted cameras.
He laughed.
“Mom, cameras aren’t evil.”
“I know.”
May you like
“Do you?”
I was learning.
