Chapter 4 - The Signature
I had signed my name thousands of times on report cards, permission slips, and birthday cards. Jennifer had copied its shape but missed the way I joined the n and e in Ines.
Helen examined the scan.
“Don’t contact her yet,” she said. “Let me get the original from the doctor’s office.”
“Is it enough to stop them?”
“It’s enough to take seriously.”
I changed my medical contact information that afternoon. I removed Stuart and Jennifer and added Denise, who nearly dropped her grocery bags when I asked.
“Ines, what happened?”
I told her about Thanksgiving. I told her what I had overheard.
Denise put the bags down.
“Do you want me here tonight?”
“No. But keep your phone close.”
The Hendersons toured the house on Saturday. I stayed away while Martha walked them through the rooms. They were a couple in their forties who restored old buildings. They noticed the stained glass Robert had repaired by hand and the little pencil marks on the pantry door where we had measured Stuart’s height each birthday.
Martha called an hour later.
“They want it. Full asking price. Cash. Flexible closing.”
I sat at Robert’s desk and looked around the study.
“All right.”
“You sound sad.”
“I am.”
Selling the house was my choice. I wished Stuart had never made me consider it.
On Sunday, he and Jennifer came with a glossy Cedar Grove brochure. They sat at my dining table as though Thanksgiving had been an unfortunate misunderstanding.
“They have an opening next month,” Jennifer said.
“We already put down a refundable deposit,” Stuart added.
I turned the brochure over. Their handwriting filled the margin beside a floor plan.
“And the house?” I asked.
“We’ll help you sell it.”
I looked at my son. He was waiting for me to thank him.
“I’ll think about everything you’ve said.”
Relief spread across his face.
As they left, Jennifer touched my arm.
“This will be easier if you let us handle the details.”
I smiled.
May you like
That night, Martha called again.
The Hendersons had one request: they wanted to close in three weeks.
