Chapter 2 - THE WATER DAMAGE
Four months earlier, a pipe burst behind the finished basement wall.
By the time Grant found it, water had soaked:
drywall,
carpet,
baseboards,
storage cabinets.
The damage was real.
So was the mold.
Their insurer, Lakeshore Mutual, approved remediation and temporary living expenses.
At first, the whole family moved to Oak Ridge Suites.
Eight nights.
Two adjoining rooms.
Ava loved the waffle machine.
Lucas hated the elevator.
Grant remembered all of it.
Then remediation stretched longer.
Grant had to travel.
Patricia said the hotel was becoming exhausting.
“We can stay upstairs while they finish the basement.”
Grant agreed.
At least he thought he had.
Patricia told the adjuster the family remained temporarily displaced.
Grant never saw the forms.
He only knew reimbursement checks arrived.
Patricia said they covered:
hotel,
meals,
laundry,
storage,
extra transportation.
Grant trusted her.
Now an insurance adjuster stood at the door while Patricia had been trying to throw the children out.
The man introduced himself.
“Evan Brooks. Lakeshore Mutual. I called Mrs. Miller about a occupancy verification.”
Grant looked at Patricia.
“Occupancy verification?”
Evan nodded.
“Just confirming the family’s temporary housing status before extending additional living expense reimbursement.”
Grant went still.
Behind him, Ava whispered:
“We sleep here.”
May you like
Evan heard.
So did Patricia.
