Chapter 8: What Kristen## Chapter 8: What Kristen Found in Gerald's Study Found in Gerald's Study
I did not reply to Kristen's
I did not reply to Kristen's message.
Instead, I took a screenshot and sent it to Margaret.
Her message.
Instead, I took a screenshot and sent it to Margaret.
Her response arrived within minutes.
*Do not engage with her about Gerald's private affairs. Save the original message. I'll address response arrived within minutes.
Do not engage with her about Gerald's private affairs. Save the original message. I'll address any further threats through counsel.
I read the message twice before any further threats through counsel.*
I read the message twice before putting my phone away.
Threats.
The word seemed too harsh for something sent by my daughter putting my phone away.
Threats.
The word seemed too harsh for something sent by my daughter-in-law, the woman who had once brought me flowers after Gerald's funeral and-in-law, the woman who had once brought me flowers after Gerald's funeral and promised that I would never be alone.
But the years promised that I would never be alone.
But the years had taught me something uncomfortable.
People rarely announce the moment they stop respecting you. They simply begin treating your boundaries as obstacles, your had taught me something uncomfortable.
People rarely announce the moment they stop respecting you. They simply begin treating your boundaries as obstacles, your kindness as an obligation, and your silence as proof that they can do whatever they please.
Kristen had crossed kindness as an obligation, and your silence as proof that they can do whatever they please.
Kristen had crossed that line long before Thanksgiving.
Now she was using my dead husband's memory to frighten me into backing down that line long before Thanksgiving.
Now she was using my dead husband's memory to frighten me into backing down.
I was not going to let her.
When Daniel drove me home, I went straight to Gerald.
I was not going to let her.
When Daniel drove me home, I went straight to Gerald's study.
The letter from twelve years earlier lay on the desk beside the folder Margaret's study.
The letter from twelve years earlier lay on the desk beside the folder Margaret had returned to me. I spread the documents out carefully and had returned to me. I spread the documents out carefully and searched for anything that might explain Kristen's message.
Gerald had been meticulous.
He kept receipts in labeled envelopes, filed searched for anything that might explain Kristen's message.
Gerald had been meticulous.
He kept receipts in labeled envelopes, filed insurance policies by year, and wrote the dates of important conversations in the margins of his insurance policies by year, and wrote the dates of important conversations in the margins of his calendar.
If he had discovered something serious about Patrick, there was a good chance he calendar.
If he had discovered something serious about Patrick, there was a good chance he had written it down.
I started with the oldest files.
For nearly an hour, I found nothing unusual had written it down.
I started with the oldest files.
For nearly an hour, I found nothing unusual. There were tax returns, pension statements, copies of the boys' birth certificates, and a folder of medical bills. There were tax returns, pension statements, copies of the boys' birth certificates, and a folder of medical bills from Gerald's final year.
Then I found a thin blue folder wedged behind from Gerald's final year.
Then I found a thin blue folder wedged behind the bottom drawer of his desk.
It was labeled **Patrick—Private the bottom drawer of his desk.
It was labeled *Patrick—Private*.
My fingers stopped on the cover.
I had never**.
My fingers stopped on the cover.
I had never seen it before.
Inside was a single sheet of paper with a seen it before.
Inside was a single sheet of paper with a date from eight years earlier, followed by a handwritten note.
*Patrick came to see me today. He says the date from eight years earlier, followed by a handwritten note.
Patrick came to see me today. He says the problem is resolved. I told him I would not discuss it with Dorothy unless it became necessary to protect her interests.
B problem is resolved. I told him I would not discuss it with Dorothy unless it became necessary to protect her interests.*
Beneath the note was a copy of a letter from a bank.
It referred to an account I dideneath the note was a copy of a letter from a bank.
It referred to an account I did not recognize and a disputed transfer connected to Patrick's second business venture.
I read the letter not recognize and a disputed transfer connected to Patrick's second business venture.
I read the letter carefully.
There were no accusations of criminal conduct, only questions about the source carefully.
There were no accusations of criminal conduct, only questions about the source of funds and the repayment of a private loan.
But Gerald had written a sentence across the of funds and the repayment of a private loan.
But Gerald had written a sentence across the bottom.
*He says Kristen knows nothing about this. I am no longer bottom.
He says Kristen knows nothing about this. I am no longer certain that is true.
I sat back.
Eight years earlier, Kristen had already been certain that is true.*
I sat back.
Eight years earlier, Kristen had already been involved in Patrick's life. They had been married for several years. Oliver was a toddler involved in Patrick's life.
They had been married for several years. Oliver was a toddler.
What had she known?
And why would she now suggest.
What had she known?
And why would she now suggest that Gerald's opinion of Patrick could somehow destroy me?
I reached for the phone.
that Gerald's opinion of Patrick could somehow destroy me?
I reached for the phone.
Before I could call Margaret, the doorbell rang.
I glancedBefore I could call Margaret, the doorbell rang.
I glanced at the clock.
Three-thirty.
Daniel had left to at the clock.
Three-thirty.
Daniel had left to collect a prescription and promised to return before dinner.
I went collect a prescription and promised to return before dinner.
I went downstairs and opened the front door.
Kristen stood on the porch.
She wore a charcoal coat downstairs and opened the front door.
Kristen stood on the porch.
She wore a charcoal coat and held a white bakery box in one hand. Her hair was perfectly arranged, and her expression had and held a white bakery box in one hand. Her hair was perfectly arranged, and her expression had the careful softness she used whenever she wanted something without appearing to ask the careful softness she used whenever she wanted something without appearing to ask for it.
“Hello, Dorothy.””
I did not step aside.
“What are you for it.
“Hello, Dorothy.””
I did not step aside.
“What are you doing here?””
She glanced at the bakery box.
“I brought you something. Those little doing here?””
She glanced at the bakery box.
“I brought you something. Those little lemon cakes you like.””
“I didn't ask for them.””
Her smile fal lemon cakes you like.””
“I didn't ask for them.””
Her smile faltered.
“Can we talk?””
“About what?””
“About this morning. About the lawyerstered.
“Can we talk?””
“About what?””
“About this morning. About the lawyers. About how things have gotten out of hand.””
I looked at her for a moment.
Then. About how things have gotten out of hand.””
I looked at her for a moment.
Then I opened the door wider.
“Come in.””
She walked into the living room and placed the box on the coffee table. I opened the door wider.
“Come in.””
She walked into the living room and placed the box on the coffee table. Her eyes moved toward Gerald's photograph on the mantel.
“You put Her eyes moved toward Gerald's photograph on the mantel.
“You put this back.””
“Yes.””
“I thought we agreed the living room needed a this back.””
“Yes.””
“I thought we agreed the living room needed a more modern look.””
I stared at her.
“We never agreed to anything. You removed it more modern look.””
I stared at her.
“We never agreed to anything. You removed it without asking.””
Kristen sighed.
“Dorothy, can we please focus on the important issue?””
without asking.””
Kristen sighed.
“Dorothy, can we please focus on the important issue?””
“I'm listening.””
She sat on the sofa and crossed her legs.
“Patrick is in“I'm listening.””
She sat on the sofa and crossed her legs.
“Patrick is in a terrible position. The financing company has suspended the transaction, and my father is furious a terrible position. The financing company has suspended the transaction, and my father is furious.
He believes your attorney is making a simple arrangement unnecessarily complicated. He believes your attorney is making a simple arrangement unnecessarily complicated.””
“Your father can speak to my attorney.””
“He doesn't want a legal fight.””
“Your father can speak to my attorney.””
“He doesn't want a legal fight.””
“Neither do I.””
“Then withdraw the notice.””
I remained standing.
“No.””
“Neither do I.””
“Then withdraw the notice.””
I remained standing.
“No.””
Kristen looked up sharply.
“You haven't even heard what I came to.””
Kristen looked up sharply.
“You haven't even heard what I came to say.””
“I heard you. You want me to withdraw the notice.””
“I want you to think say.””
“I heard you. You want me to withdraw the notice.””
“I want you to think about your family.””
“I have been thinking about my family for seventy-one years.””
She about your family.””
“I have been thinking about my family for seventy-one years.””
She pressed her lips together.
“Then think about Oliver and Sophie. If Patrick pressed her lips together.
“Then think about Oliver and Sophie. If Patrick loses everything, their lives will change. Their school, their home, the things loses everything, their lives will change. Their school, their home, the things they've grown accustomed to—everything could be affected.””
The words struck the they've grown accustomed to—everything could be affected.””
The words struck the part of me she had intended them to reach.
My grandchildren.
I loved them with a part of me she had intended them to reach.
My grandchildren.
I loved them with a tenderness that made ordinary days feel precious. Oliver still believed I could repair anything tenderness that made ordinary days feel precious. Oliver still believed I could repair anything with a needle and thread.
Sophie liked to fall asleep against my shoulder while I read to with a needle and thread. Sophie liked to fall asleep against my shoulder while I read to her.
The thought of them suffering because of Patrick's decisions was unbearable.
Kristen saw my her.
The thought of them suffering because of Patrick's decisions was unbearable.
Kristen saw my expression and leaned forward.
“You don't want them to pay for this, do you?””
I expression and leaned forward.
“You don't want them to pay for this, do you?””
I took a breath.
“No. I don't.””
“Then sign the agreement.””
I looked at her.
There took a breath.
“No. I don't.””
“Then sign the agreement.””
I looked at her.
There was no shame in her face.
She had just used two was no shame in her face.
She had just used two small children to pressure their grandmother into risking her home, and she seemed convinced that the tactic small children to pressure their grandmother into risking her home, and she seemed convinced that the tactic was reasonable.
“Kristen,” I said quietly, “do you believe I don't love those children?””
She blinked.
“ was reasonable.
“Kristen,” I said quietly, “do you believe I don't love those children?””
She blinked.
“Of course I do.””
“Then why would you ask me to gamble their grandmother's security againstOf course I do.””
“Then why would you ask me to gamble their grandmother's security against their father's debt?””
“Because the alternative is worse.””
“For whom?””
“For everyone!””
Her their father's debt?””
“Because the alternative is worse.””
“For whom?””
“For everyone!””
Her voice rose.
Then she caught herself and glanced toward the hallway.
When she spoke again, she voice rose.
Then she caught herself and glanced toward the hallway.
When she spoke again, she was quieter.
“Look, Dorothy. My father made a substantial commitment based was quieter.
“Look, Dorothy. My father made a substantial commitment based on the understanding that Patrick could deliver the property. There are other investors involved. People have put money into this.
on the understanding that Patrick could deliver the property. There are other investors involved. People have put money into this. If the project fails, there will be consequences.””
“Then those people should have required proper authorization before making their If the project fails, there will be consequences.””
“Then those people should have required proper authorization before making their commitments.””
“You know that's not how business works.””
“Actually, I do commitments.””
“You know that's not how business works.””
“Actually, I do. Your father has spent his career in commercial real estate. He knows perfectly.
Your father has spent his career in commercial real estate. He knows perfectly well that an owner's consent cannot be replaced by a family member's optimism.””
Kristen stood.
“You well that an owner's consent cannot be replaced by a family member's optimism.””
Kristen stood.
“You're being impossible.””
“No. I'm being careful.””
She walked toward the window and stared into're being impossible.””
“No. I'm being careful.””
She walked toward the window and stared into the garden.
For a moment, her expression changed. The polished confidence slipped, revealing something raw beneath it the garden.
For a moment, her expression changed. The polished confidence slipped, revealing something raw beneath it.
“You have no idea what Patrick is going through.””
I thought of the letter Gerald had left.
“I.
“You have no idea what Patrick is going through.””
I thought of the letter Gerald had left.
“I know he is in debt. I know he signed an agreement he regrets. And know he is in debt.
I know he signed an agreement he regrets. And I know he is afraid of losing everything.””
“Then help him.””
“I am I know he is afraid of losing everything.””
“Then help him.””
“I am helping him by refusing to let him make a worse mistake.””
Kristen turned sharply.
“You think you're better than us because you helping him by refusing to let him make a worse mistake.””
Kristen turned sharply.
“You think you're better than us because you own a house?””
“No.””
“You think you're morally superior because you never took risks?””
I almost laughed.
I had own a house?””
“No.””
“You think you're morally superior because you never took risks?””
I almost laughed.
I had taken risks.
I had raised two children on a modest income. I had supported a taken risks.
I had raised two children on a modest income. I had supported a husband through cancer. I had lived alone after losing the person I loved most.
I had watched husband through cancer. I had lived alone after losing the person I loved most. I had watched my savings shrink when medical bills arrived, and I had learned to make difficult decisions without asking anyone else my savings shrink when medical bills arrived, and I had learned to make difficult decisions without asking anyone else to carry the consequences.
The difference was that I had never called my risks someone else's responsibility.
“I think to carry the consequences.
The difference was that I had never called my risks someone else's responsibility.
“I think,” I said, “that if you want me to help Patrick, you should stop treating me as the problem.””
Kristen's eyes filled with,” I said, “that if you want me to help Patrick, you should stop treating me as the problem.””
Kristen's eyes filled with angry tears.
“You have no idea what my father has done for us.””
“Then angry tears.
“You have no idea what my father has done for us.””
“Then perhaps you should ask him to help you without using my house.””
She picked up her handbag perhaps you should ask him to help you without using my house.””
She picked up her handbag.
“This is going to destroy our family.””
I walked her to the door.
“No.
“This is going to destroy our family.””
I walked her to the door.
“No, Kristen. The choices people make will determine what happens to this family, Kristen. The choices people make will determine what happens to this family.””
She stopped on the porch and turned back.
“You should.””
She stopped on the porch and turned back.
“You should be careful about what you uncover in Gerald's papers.””
My heart began to pound.
“Why?””
She held be careful about what you uncover in Gerald's papers.””
My heart began to pound.
“Why?””
She held my gaze.
“Because your husband wasn't as innocent as you think.””
Then she walked to her car.
I my gaze.
“Because your husband wasn't as innocent as you think.””
Then she walked to her car.
I watched her drive away.
I did not follow her.
I did not call after her.
I closed the door and locked watched her drive away.
I did not follow her.
I did not call after her.
I closed the door and locked it.
For several seconds, I stood in the hallway, listening to the silence.
Then I went upstairs and called Margaret.
I it.
For several seconds, I stood in the hallway, listening to the silence.
Then I went upstairs and called Margaret.
I told her about the visit, the threat, and the blue folder I had found.
She listened without interrupting told her about the visit, the threat, and the blue folder I had found.
She listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she said, “Please don't investigate any further on your own. Bring the folder to my.
When I finished, she said, “Please don't investigate any further on your own. Bring the folder to my office tomorrow. We'll determine whether those records are relevant to the current dispute.””
“What did office tomorrow. We'll determine whether those records are relevant to the current dispute.””
“What did Kristen mean when she said Gerald wasn't innocent?””
“I can't know what she intended. It may be a Kristen mean when she said Gerald wasn't innocent?””
“I can't know what she intended. It may be a tactic designed to frighten you.””
“But what if there's something real behind tactic designed to frighten you.””
“But what if there's something real behind it?””
“Then we'll examine it. Carefully, and with evidence.””
I looked at the folder.
“Margaret it?””
“Then we'll examine it. Carefully, and with evidence.””
I looked at the folder.
“Margaret, I don't want to protect Gerald's reputation if he did something wrong.””
Her voice softened, I don't want to protect Gerald's reputation if he did something wrong.””
Her voice softened.
“I understand. But neither should you let Kristen define what happened before we.
“I understand. But neither should you let Kristen define what happened before we know the facts.””
After we hung up, I sat at the desk and opened know the facts.””
After we hung up, I sat at the desk and opened Gerald's old calendar.
I turned through the pages, looking for the date of the bank letter.
Gerald's old calendar.
I turned through the pages, looking for the date of the bank letter.
Beside the appointment, Gerald had written a name.
**Eleanor Price.Beside the appointment, Gerald had written a name.
*Eleanor Price.*
I recognized it immediately.
Eleanor had been Patrick's former accountant. She had helped him with his first business and**
I recognized it immediately.
Eleanor had been Patrick's former accountant. She had helped him with his first business and later worked with a small financial advisory firm downtown.
I had not seen her in years.
Bene later worked with a small financial advisory firm downtown.
I had not seen her in years.
Beneath her name was a phone number, followed by a sentence in Gerald's handwriting.
*Eath her name was a phone number, followed by a sentence in Gerald's handwriting.
Eleanor has the original records. If Patrick ever denies what happened, ask her to explain.
leanor has the original records. If Patrick ever denies what happened, ask her to explain.*
I copied the number.
Then I called.
A woman answered after several rings.
“Hello?””
“Eleanor?I copied the number.
Then I called.
A woman answered after several rings.
“Hello?””
“Eleanor? My name is Dorothy Ellis. I'm Gerald Ellis's wife.””
There was a long silence.
Then Eleanor spoke in a voice so quiet I My name is Dorothy Ellis. I'm Gerald Ellis's wife.””
There was a long silence.
Then Eleanor spoke in a voice so quiet I had to lean closer to the phone.
“Dorothy. I've wondered when you would call.””
My had to lean closer to the phone.
“Dorothy. I've wondered when you would call.””
My throat tightened.
“You knew Gerald had left something for me?””
“I throat tightened.
“You knew Gerald had left something for me?””
“I knew he was worried about what might happen to you.””
“Why?””
Eleanor ex knew he was worried about what might happen to you.””
“Why?””
Eleanor exhaled.
“Because Patrick made a promise to his father that he never kept.””
I closed my eyes.
“Canhaled.
“Because Patrick made a promise to his father that he never kept.””
I closed my eyes.
“Can you tell me what happened?””
“Not over the phone. But I have the records Gerald gave you tell me what happened?””
“Not over the phone. But I have the records Gerald gave me. I kept them because he asked me to, in case the same problem ever happened again.””
“The same problem?””
“Yes.””
I gripped me. I kept them because he asked me to, in case the same problem ever happened again.””
“The same problem?””
“Yes.””
I gripped the edge of the desk.
“Eleanor, I need you to explain something to me. the edge of the desk.
“Eleanor, I need you to explain something to me. Kristen just came to my house and told me that Gerald wasn't as innocent as I think.””
Eleanor Kristen just came to my house and told me that Gerald wasn't as innocent as I think.””
Eleanor was silent for a moment.
Then she said, “Gerald was not the person who created the problem, Dorothy. But he was silent for a moment.
Then she said, “Gerald was not the person who created the problem, Dorothy. But he did something to protect Patrick that he never told you about.””
My chest tightened.
“What did he do?””
“I did something to protect Patrick that he never told you about.””
My chest tightened.
“What did he do?””
“I think you should come and see me. There is a document you need to read before you confront anyone else.””
I wrote think you should come and see me. There is a document you need to read before you confront anyone else.””
I wrote down her address.
Before ending the call, I asked one final question.
“Eleanor, did Gerald know Patrick was in financial down her address.
Before ending the call, I asked one final question.
“Eleanor, did Gerald know Patrick was in financial trouble again?””
“Yes,” she said.
“How long before he died?””
Her answer made trouble again?””
“Yes,” she said.
“How long before he died?””
Her answer made my blood run cold.
“Three weeks.””
I stared at the phone.
Gerald had been dying my blood run cold.
“Three weeks.””
I stared at the phone.
Gerald had been dying.
He had been in pain, struggling to breathe, and trying to make peace with leaving his family behind.
And three weeks before his death, he.
He had been in pain, struggling to breathe, and trying to make peace with leaving his family behind.
And three weeks before his death, he had discovered that Patrick was facing another financial crisis.
Yet he had said nothing to me.
I looked at the photograph on the mantel.
“ had discovered that Patrick was facing another financial crisis.
Yet he had said nothing to me.
I looked at the photograph on the mantel.
“Why didn't you tell me, Gerald?”” I whispered.
There was no answer.
Only the quiet houseWhy didn't you tell me, Gerald?”” I whispered.
There was no answer.
Only the quiet house, the fading afternoon light, and a new certainty that my husband's final months had, the fading afternoon light, and a new certainty that my husband's final months had contained a secret far more painful than I had imagined.
The next morning, I would meet contained a secret far more painful than I had imagined.
The next morning, I would meet Eleanor Price.
And I would finally learn what Gerald had sacrificed to protect the son who Eleanor Price.
May you like
And I would finally learn what Gerald had sacrificed to protect the son who was now trying to take my home.
was now trying to take my home.
