Chapter 7 - WHY NORA STOLE
Nora’s financial motive was not luxury.
At least not initially.
Her husband Paul’s stroke destroyed their finances.
Insurance covered much.
Not everything.
Rehabilitation.
Home modifications.
Debt.
Then Paul died.
Nora remained with bills.
She borrowed from relatives.
Credit cards.
A predatory loan.
She began redirecting small household vendor payments.
At first, according to later admissions, she intended to repay them.
Classic self-deception.
$2,000.
Then $5,000.
Then a fake vendor.
Once theft became infrastructure, the reason changed.
Debt was paid.
But the payments continued.
Some money supported her adult son, who had repeated substance-use treatment and unstable employment.
Some paid her mortgage.
Some remained in savings.
Some purchased jewelry.
Not enormous luxury.
Enough comfort to make stopping harder.
Nora had spent years in a house where one floral arrangement could cost more than her monthly rent once had.
She began telling herself the Blackwoods would never notice.
Then telling herself we owed her.
She had stayed while Grace was sick.
Held Lily during hospital visits.
Managed the house after the funeral.
She confused indispensable labor with ownership of the resources around her.
That psychological shift mattered.
It did not turn theft into wages.
She had been paid well.
Received bonuses.
Health insurance.
Retirement contributions.
Paid leave during Paul’s illness.
Could I have understood her hardship better?
Probably.
Did that make taking money acceptable?
May you like
No.
Motive can make wrongdoing human without making it harmless.
