Chapter 1
The bank teller shoved me to the floor because of my torn clothes and told security to throw me out. I stood up, placed my card on the counter again, and said, “Please check the balance.”
I was thirteen when I walked alone into a bank in downtown Chicago.
My shoes were worn through at the toes, and my jacket had a tear down one sleeve.
People looked at me the moment I entered.
I ignored them and walked to the nearest teller.
“Sir, can you check my account balance?”
The teller, Mr. Harris, looked me up and down.
“Where did you get that card?”
“It’s mine.”
He laughed.
A woman at the next counter turned to watch.
“Kid, this isn’t a shelter.”
I swallowed hard.
“I only need the balance.”
Mr. Harris pushed the card back toward me.
“Go find your parents.”
“They’re not here.”
“Then leave.”
I picked up the card and tried again.
“Please. It will only take a minute.”
His face hardened.
“I said get out.”
When I didn’t move, he came around the counter and shoved my shoulder.
I lost my balance and hit the marble floor.
Several customers gasped.
One man actually laughed.
My hands were shaking when I stood up.
But I walked back to the counter.
I placed the card down carefully.
“Please check it.”
Mr. Harris stared at me like I was dirt.
“Fine.”
He sat down and typed something into his computer.
Then his expression changed.
The smile disappeared first.
Then his eyes widened.
He leaned closer to the screen.
“What the…”
The teller beside him looked over.
Mr. Harris suddenly stood up.
“Where did you get this account?”
“I told you. It’s mine.”
His face went completely pale.
The branch manager hurried over after seeing the number on the screen.
Then he looked at my name, looked at me, and whispered, “Lock the doors.”
Mr. Harris started trembling.
I stared at him and asked quietly, “Can you tell me the balance now?”
The manager swallowed hard.
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“Son… there’s over forty-eight million dollars in this account.”
Then another employee rushed from the back office holding a file and shouted, “Sir, you need to see who authorized this account before the boy’s father died.”
