Chapter 13 - The Door
I called Denise’s brother Paul, who was staying with her, then called Helen. Paul arrived first. Helen told me to avoid an argument and call for help if Jennifer refused to leave.
Jennifer pulled up ten minutes later.
She rang the bell while Paul stood in the hallway behind me.
When I opened the door, she held up a copy of the purchase agreement.
“You can’t close Friday.”
“I can.”
“Stuart grew up here.”
“I know. I raised him.”
“You’re punishing us.”
“I’m selling my house.”
Her eyes swept over my shoulder and found Paul.
“Who’s that?”
“A friend.”
She laughed bitterly. “There’s always someone helping you now.”
“There could have been two more people, if you and Stuart had asked what I needed.”
Jennifer stepped closer.
“We’ll lose Dad’s money. Our contractor already has the deposit. You know what that will do to us?”
I thought of the way she had calculated what would remain after Cedar Grove.
“You made promises with money you didn’t own.”
“Stuart will never forgive you.”
“He may need time.”
For a moment, anger left her face. She looked scared.
Then she saw my phone in my hand.
“Are you recording this?”
“No. I called my attorney.”
Jennifer backed down the porch steps.
“This isn’t over.”
She got into her car and drove away. I locked the door.
Friday morning, Martha texted that the Hendersons had arrived early.
May you like
I put Robert’s letter in my handbag and went to close the sale.
In the parking lot outside the title office, Stuart was waiting.
