Chapter 4 - THE PAPERS
I pulled the visitor’s chair beside her bed.
“What papers?”
“He said they were connected to the house. That you knew about them.”
“Did I?”
“No.”
The word barely left her mouth.
Margaret picked at the corner of the hospital blanket.
“Daniel brought him over while you were at the supply store. They had a folder. Richard kept talking about timing and a business opportunity.”
“What business?”
“Something Daniel was joining after the wedding.”
I knew Richard ran Caldwell Development. I knew Daniel admired him.
I hadn’t known they planned to work together.
“What did you sign?”
“Nothing.”
I let out a breath.
“Richard wanted me to put my initials on several pages. I said our attorney should read them first.”
“Good.”
“Daniel got upset.”
“How upset?”
She studied her wrapped wrist.
“He asked why I always made him feel like a child.”
I sat back.
That sentence sounded painfully familiar. Our son had learned early that Margaret would surrender almost anything to avoid making him feel unloved.
“He said you’d already agreed,” she continued. “I told him that if you had, waiting one day wouldn’t matter.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“He apologized afterward. He said wedding stress was getting to him.”
“Maggie.”
“I know.”
No defensiveness. Just exhaustion.
We drove home after dark.
The porch light had come on automatically. Margaret paused beneath it, looking at the muddy hem of her dress.
“I don’t want to wear this inside.”
I brought a robe to the laundry room and waited outside while she changed.
Later, I placed the dress in a clean bag.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Keeping it.”
She understood.
At nine that night, I called our attorney, Helen Brooks.
She had handled the sale of my electrical contracting business and the purchase of the house.
I told her everything.
She let me finish.
Then she asked, “Have either of you signed any authority allowing Daniel to act for you?”
“No,” I said.
Margaret shook her head.
“Send me any messages you have. Don’t argue with anyone about documents tonight.”
After we hung up, Margaret remembered something.
“Richard left one page.”
She walked to the kitchen drawer where she kept coupons and appliance manuals.
Under a takeout menu lay a photocopied form.
At the top were the words LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY.
At the bottom was a signature.
Margaret stared at it.
“That wasn’t there when he left it.”
I looked at her.
May you like
She touched the page with one trembling finger.
“Thomas, that looks like my name.”
