Chapter 5: The Attorney's Second## Chapter 5: The Attorney's Second Face
Linda didn't answer my father Face
Linda didn't answer my father.
She stood at the bottom of the.
She stood at the bottom of the staircase with her phone pressed against her chest, her silk robe hanging loosely from one shoulder. For once, she had no cutting remark ready, no staircase with her phone pressed against her chest, her silk robe hanging loosely from one shoulder. For once, she had no cutting remark ready, no accusation to throw at me, no carefully arranged expression of wounded innocence.
My father waited accusation to throw at me, no carefully arranged expression of wounded innocence.
My father waited.
“Who were you talking to?””
Linda glanced at the phone.
“No one important.””
“Then you won't mind telling me.
“Who were you talking to?””
Linda glanced at the phone.
“No one important.””
“Then you won't mind telling me why you said Daniel's name.””
“He called to discuss the documents.””
“Daniel called you?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Just now.””
My father looked at his screen.
“That's why you said Daniel's name.””
“He called to discuss the documents.””
“Daniel called you?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Just now.””
My father looked at his screen.
“That's interesting. Because he called me first, and he told me he hadn't spoken to you since leaving this interesting. Because he called me first, and he told me he hadn't spoken to you since leaving this house.””
Linda swallowed.
I watched her fingers tighten around her phone.
“Perhaps he forgot.””
“Daniel has never forgotten a conversation about money.””
“Richard, you're exhausted. You're upset house.””
Linda swallowed.
I watched her fingers tighten around her phone.
“Perhaps he forgot.””
“Daniel has never forgotten a conversation about money.””
“Richard, you're exhausted. You're upset about Evelyn's dress, and now you're looking for conspiracies where none exist.””
My father walked toward her.
“Did you say those about Evelyn's dress, and now you're looking for conspiracies where none exist.””
My father walked toward her.
“Did you say those papers were supposed to be gone?””
Linda's mouth opened.
Then closed.
He stopped a few feet away.
“I heard you through the front door. I heard you mention my wife's letter. I heard you say Daniel had promised you something.””
His papers were supposed to be gone?””
Linda's mouth opened.
Then closed.
He stopped a few feet away.
“I heard you through the front door. I heard you mention my wife's letter. I heard you say Daniel had promised you something.””
His voice hardened.
“What did he promise?””
Linda looked up at me.
“Could you give us a moment alone?””
“No,” my father replied.
“Richard, this is between husband and wife.””
“Not anymore.””
The words struck the room with startling force.
Mia came down the stairs slowly. She stopped beside me, her eyes fixed voice hardened.
“What did he promise?””
Linda looked up at me.
“Could you give us a moment alone?””
“No,” my father replied.
“Richard, this is between husband and wife.””
“Not anymore.””
The words struck the room with startling force.
Mia came down the stairs slowly. She stopped beside me, her eyes fixed on our father.
Linda noticed her.
“Mia, go back upstairs.””
“No.””
“Don't start.””
“I'm tired of going upstairs every time you want to hide something.””
Linda on our father.
Linda noticed her.
“Mia, go back upstairs.””
“No.””
“Don't start.””
“I'm tired of going upstairs every time you want to hide something.””
Linda stared at her daughter.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
“Then explain it!””
“Enough!””
Mia flinched.
My father stepped forward.
“Don't shout at her.””
Linda turned toward him in disbelief.
“You're defending Mia now?””
“I'm defending the right of stared at her daughter.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
“Then explain it!””
“Enough!””
Mia flinched.
My father stepped forward.
“Don't shout at her.””
Linda turned toward him in disbelief.
“You're defending Mia now?””
“I'm defending the right of everyone in this house to ask questions without being threatened.””
Linda's expression shifted. Her eyes grew wet, and her shoulders sagged.
It was a familiar transformation.
Whenever anger failed, she became fragile.
Whenever accusations failed, she became wounded.
She had used that ability for years to make my father feel everyone in this house to ask questions without being threatened.””
Linda's expression shifted. Her eyes grew wet, and her shoulders sagged.
It was a familiar transformation.
Whenever anger failed, she became fragile.
Whenever accusations failed, she became wounded.
She had used that ability for years to make my father feel cruel whenever he disagreed with her.
“Richard,” she whispered, “I have spent six years trying to hold this family together. cruel whenever he disagreed with her.
“Richard,” she whispered, “I have spent six years trying to hold this family together. I gave up so much to make this marriage work. I raised Evelyn as I gave up so much to make this marriage work. I raised Evelyn as if she were my own daughter.””
I almost laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because the lie was so enormous if she were my own daughter.””
I almost laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because the lie was so enormous that I couldn't understand how she could say it while standing beside the ruins that I couldn't understand how she could say it while standing beside the ruins of my graduation dress.
“You never raised me,” I said.
Linda turned sharply.
“I beg your pardon?””
“You told of my graduation dress.
“You never raised me,” I said.
Linda turned sharply.
“I beg your pardon?””
“You told me my mother's belongings took up too much space. You packed her books into boxes and put them in the garage. When I asked you to help me my mother's belongings took up too much space.
You packed her books into boxes and put them in the garage. When I asked you to help me choose a dress for my first school dance, you told me to stop expecting you me choose a dress for my first school dance, you told me to stop expecting you to compete with a dead woman.””
My father went completely still.
I had never told him that.
Linda's face flushed.
to compete with a dead woman.””
My father went completely still.
I had never told him that.
Linda's face flushed.
“That is not what I said.””
“You said I needed to accept that you were the woman in this house now.””
“I was“That is not what I said.””
“You said I needed to accept that you were the woman in this house now.””
“I was trying to establish boundaries.””
“You threw away the blue scarf my trying to establish boundaries.””
“You threw away the blue scarf my mother wore every winter.””
“It was old and falling apart!””
“You mother wore every winter.””
“It was old and falling apart!””
“You said the smell of her perfume made you uncomfortable.””
Linda's eyes darted toward my father.
He looked at her as though he said the smell of her perfume made you uncomfortable.””
Linda's eyes darted toward my father.
He looked at her as though he were seeing a stranger.
I wiped my cheeks.
“You didn't raise me, Linda. You taught me how to stay were seeing a stranger.
I wiped my cheeks.
“You didn't raise me, Linda. You taught me how to stay quiet so you wouldn't punish me for reminding you that my mother existed.””
Mia lowered her head.
For once quiet so you wouldn't punish me for reminding you that my mother existed.””
Mia lowered her head.
For once, she didn't defend her mother.
Linda's voice dropped.
“You have, she didn't defend her mother.
Linda's voice dropped.
“You have always been ungrateful.””
“No,” my father said.
She always been ungrateful.””
“No,” my father said.
She turned to him.
He shook his head slowly.
turned to him.
He shook his head slowly.
“No more, Linda.””
He took his phone from his pocket and called Daniel again.
The call went to voicemail.
He tried a second time.
Nothing.
Then he opened his contacts and selected another number.
“Mr. Collins? It's Richard Hayes.“No more, Linda.””
He took his phone from his pocket and called Daniel again.
The call went to voicemail.
He tried a second time.
Nothing.
Then he opened his contacts and selected another number.
“Mr. Collins? It's Richard Hayes. I need you to meet me at my house immediately.
Yes, it's urgent. I want an independent attorney to review a trust agreement and I need you to meet me at my house immediately. Yes, it's urgent. I want an independent attorney to review a trust agreement and several suspicious financial transactions.””
Linda's face changed at the words independent attorney.
“Richard, don't do this.””
He continued speaking.
several suspicious financial transactions.””
Linda's face changed at the words independent attorney.
“Richard, don't do this.””
He continued speaking.
“Please bring someone from your firm's financial investigations team, too. I'll explain everything when you arrive.””
He ended the call.
Linda stepped closer.
“If you bring another attorney into this, I“Please bring someone from your firm's financial investigations team, too. I'll explain everything when you arrive.””
He ended the call.
Linda stepped closer.
“If you bring another attorney into this, I will have no choice but to protect myself.””
“From what?””
“From the way you're treating me.””
My father looked at the ruined dress still visible will have no choice but to protect myself.””
“From what?””
“From the way you're treating me.””
My father looked at the ruined dress still visible through my open bedroom door.
“I'm not the one who needs protection from you through my open bedroom door.
“I'm not the one who needs protection from you today.””
He turned toward the kitchen.
“Evelyn, come with me.””
I followed him.
M today.””
He turned toward the kitchen.
“Evelyn, come with me.””
I followed him.
Mia remained on the stairs until he called her name.
“You, too.””
She hesitated.
Then sheia remained on the stairs until he called her name.
“You, too.””
She hesitated.
Then she came downstairs.
We sat around the kitchen table. My father placed the envelope in front of came downstairs.
We sat around the kitchen table. My father placed the envelope in front of him and asked Mia to explain everything she knew about the trust.
At first, she refused.
him and asked Mia to explain everything she knew about the trust.
At first, she refused.
“I already told you I don't know anything.””
“Then this should be easy,” he said.
“Tell us what“I already told you I don't know anything.””
“Then this should be easy,” he said.
“Tell us what you do know.””
Mia picked at the skin beside her thumbnail.
“Mom said Evelyn's you do know.””
Mia picked at the skin beside her thumbnail.
“Mom said Evelyn's mother left money for her.””
My heart lurched.
“When did mother left money for her.””
My heart lurched.
“When did she tell you that?””
“A few years ago. I was looking for something in her office she tell you that?””
“A few years ago. I was looking for something in her office, and I found a folder with Evelyn's name on it.””
“What did you see?””
“Bank, and I found a folder with Evelyn's name on it.””
“What did you see?””
“Bank statements. Property documents. I didn't read everything.””
“Did you ask your statements. Property documents. I didn't read everything.””
“Did you ask your mother about it?””
“Yes.””
“What did she say?””
Mia looked at Linda, who mother about it?””
“Yes.””
“What did she say?””
Mia looked at Linda, who had followed us into the kitchen.
“She said your mother had left money for Evelyn's future, but Dad had had followed us into the kitchen.
“She said your mother had left money for Evelyn's future, but Dad had agreed that some of it could be used for the family.””
My father frowned.
agreed that some of it could be used for the family.””
My father frowned.
“Did she say I had agreed to that?””
“Yes.””
“Did she“Did she say I had agreed to that?””
“Yes.””
“Did she show you anything I had signed?””
Mia shook her head.
“She said you didn't need to sign anything show you anything I had signed?””
Mia shook her head.
“She said you didn't need to sign anything because she handled the accounts.””
My father rubbed his forehead.
“And you believed her?””
“She was because she handled the accounts.””
My father rubbed his forehead.
“And you believed her?””
“She was my mother!””
The words burst from Mia.
Her voice broke.
“I'm sorry, okay my mother!””
The words burst from Mia.
Her voice broke.
“I'm sorry, okay? I believed her because she's my mother, and because she always told me you were too busy to care? I believed her because she's my mother, and because she always told me you were too busy to care about the details. She said you wanted me to have a good life.
She said the money was about the details. She said you wanted me to have a good life. She said the money was there to make sure I never had to worry.””
I looked at her.
there to make sure I never had to worry.””
I looked at her.
“And you never wondered why I was worrying?””
Mia lowered her eyes.
“No.””
The“And you never wondered why I was worrying?””
Mia lowered her eyes.
“No.””
The honesty hurt more than another excuse would have.
She continued quietly.
honesty hurt more than another excuse would have.
She continued quietly.
“I thought you liked struggling. Mom said you wanted to prove you were better than everyone because you“I thought you liked struggling. Mom said you wanted to prove you were better than everyone because you worked for everything yourself.””
I stared at Linda.
She had taken my sacrifices and turned them worked for everything yourself.””
I stared at Linda.
She had taken my sacrifices and turned them into a character flaw.
She had made my independence look like arrogance, my silence look like superiority, and my achievements look into a character flaw.
She had made my independence look like arrogance, my silence look like superiority, and my achievements look like an insult to her daughter.
And she had done it while apparently using like an insult to her daughter.
And she had done it while apparently using money that had been intended to protect me.
My father asked another question.
“Did you ever receive money directly from money that had been intended to protect me.
My father asked another question.
“Did you ever receive money directly from the trust?””
Mia shook her head.
“Not directly.””
“What does that mean?””
“Mom paid for the trust?””
Mia shook her head.
“Not directly.””
“What does that mean?””
“Mom paid for things. My car. Some of my tuition. My apartment deposit when things.
My car. Some of my tuition. My apartment deposit when I started college.””
My father leaned forward.
“Your apartment deposit?””
Mia nodded reluctantly.
“You told me you were I started college.””
My father leaned forward.
“Your apartment deposit?””
Mia nodded reluctantly.
“You told me you were living in the dorms.””
“I was, at first.””
“You said living in the dorms.””
“I was, at first.””
“You said you had a scholarship.””
“I did.””
“Then why did you need an apartment?””
Mia looked at her hands you had a scholarship.””
“I did.””
“Then why did you need an apartment?””
Mia looked at her hands.
“Mom said it would be better if I lived closer to campus. She paid the deposit and the.
“Mom said it would be better if I lived closer to campus. She paid the deposit and the first six months' rent.””
My father stared at her.
“Six months?””
Mia first six months' rent.””
My father stared at her.
“Six months?””
Mia nodded.
He looked toward Linda.
“Was that paid from the trust?””
Linda lifted her chin.
“I don't recall nodded.
He looked toward Linda.
“Was that paid from the trust?””
Linda lifted her chin.
“I don't recall.””
“Then we'll find out.””
A car pulled into the driveway.
My father.””
“Then we'll find out.””
A car pulled into the driveway.
My father looked at the clock.
“Mr. Collins is here.””
He stood and went to the front door.
A few looked at the clock.
“Mr. Collins is here.””
He stood and went to the front door.
A few minutes later, a gray-haired attorney entered carrying a slim briefcase. His name was Robert Collins minutes later, a gray-haired attorney entered carrying a slim briefcase. His name was Robert Collins, and he had represented my father in business matters for years.
He greeted everyone, then listened without interrupt, and he had represented my father in business matters for years.
He greeted everyone, then listened without interrupting while my father explained the situation.
When my father showed him the letter from my mother, Robert read iting while my father explained the situation.
When my father showed him the letter from my mother, Robert read it twice.
His expression became grave.
“Richard, where did you find this?””
“In an envelope Mia was holding upstairs.””
twice.
His expression became grave.
“Richard, where did you find this?””
“In an envelope Mia was holding upstairs.””
Robert looked at the handwriting.
“Do you have the original trust agreement?””
My father handed him the document fromRobert looked at the handwriting.
“Do you have the original trust agreement?””
My father handed him the document from the folder.
Robert examined the signature page.
Then he looked at the note again.
“I'm afraid this the folder.
Robert examined the signature page.
Then he looked at the note again.
“I'm afraid this is more serious than a disagreement about household finances.””
Linda folded her arms.
“That's a is more serious than a disagreement about household finances.””
Linda folded her arms.
“That's a dramatic thing to say when you haven't even reviewed the accounts.””
Robert looked at her.
“I haven't dramatic thing to say when you haven't even reviewed the accounts.””
Robert looked at her.
“I haven't reviewed them yet. But I have reviewed this agreement.””
He tapped the signature page.
“Your wife's instructions reviewed them yet. But I have reviewed this agreement.””
He tapped the signature page.
“Your wife's instructions specifically restricted the use of the trust assets to Evelyn's education, health, and long-term specifically restricted the use of the trust assets to Evelyn's education, health, and long-term financial security. There were provisions for emergency expenses, but they required documentation and compliance with the trustee's financial security. There were provisions for emergency expenses, but they required documentation and compliance with the trustee's duties.””
My father swallowed.
“Could Linda have authorized withdrawals?””
“Not duties.””
My father swallowed.
“Could Linda have authorized withdrawals?””
“Not without the appropriate authority. We need to examine the records and the exact account structure.””
Linda shook her head.
“This is without the appropriate authority. We need to examine the records and the exact account structure.””
Linda shook her head.
“This is ridiculous. Richard knew I was helping with the paperwork.””
Robert remained composed.
ridiculous. Richard knew I was helping with the paperwork.””
Robert remained composed.
“Helping with paperwork is not the same as having legal authority to move trust assets.””
He turned to my father“Helping with paperwork is not the same as having legal authority to move trust assets.””
He turned to my father.
“I also recommend that you contact the financial institution directly, revoke any unnecessary access, and preserve all.
“I also recommend that you contact the financial institution directly, revoke any unnecessary access, and preserve all relevant records. We should not assume that the documents in this envelope tell the whole story.””
My relevant records. We should not assume that the documents in this envelope tell the whole story.””
My father nodded.
“Do whatever is necessary.””
Robert glanced at the letter.
“One other thing father nodded.
“Do whatever is necessary.””
Robert glanced at the letter.
“One other thing. This note refers to Daniel. Before we make any conclusions, we need to establish why your late.
This note refers to Daniel. Before we make any conclusions, we need to establish why your late wife was concerned about him.””
He took out his phone.
“Do you have his contact details?””
wife was concerned about him.””
He took out his phone.
“Do you have his contact details?””
My father gave him the number.
Robert called.
This time, Daniel answered.
“RobertMy father gave him the number.
Robert called.
This time, Daniel answered.
“Robert,” he said.
“What a surprise.””
Robert placed the phone on speaker.
“Daniel,,” he said.
“What a surprise.””
Robert placed the phone on speaker.
“Daniel, I'm with Richard Hayes. We need to discuss a letter written by his late wife that mentions I'm with Richard Hayes. We need to discuss a letter written by his late wife that mentions you by name.””
There was a pause.
Then Daniel replied, “I don't know what you're talking about you by name.””
There was a pause.
Then Daniel replied, “I don't know what you're talking about.””
Robert looked at the paper in front of him.
“The letter says that if Linda ever.””
Robert looked at the paper in front of him.
“The letter says that if Linda ever accesses the account, Richard should investigate you.””
Silence.
Not the ordinary silence of a dropped connection accesses the account, Richard should investigate you.””
Silence.
Not the ordinary silence of a dropped connection.
A long, deliberate silence.
Then Daniel said, “You shouldn't be reading that letter.””
My father leaned toward the phone.
“Why.
A long, deliberate silence.
Then Daniel said, “You shouldn't be reading that letter.””
My father leaned toward the phone.
“Why not?””
“Because you don't understand what happened.””
“Then explain it.””
Daniel exhal not?””
“Because you don't understand what happened.””
“Then explain it.””
Daniel exhaled.
“Richard, listen to me carefully. Linda has been lying to you, but she isn't the only person whoed.
“Richard, listen to me carefully. Linda has been lying to you, but she isn't the only person who knows the truth.””
My father's face hardened.
“What truth?””
Another pause.
Then Daniel spoke knows the truth.””
My father's face hardened.
“What truth?””
Another pause.
Then Daniel spoke so quietly that we had to lean closer.
“Your first wife came to my office three months before she died. She told so quietly that we had to lean closer.
“Your first wife came to my office three months before she died. She told me she believed someone was taking money from Evelyn's trust.””
My blood turned cold.
My father gripped me she believed someone was taking money from Evelyn's trust.””
My blood turned cold.
My father gripped the edge of the table.
“And you did nothing?””
“I tried to investigate. But before the edge of the table.
“And you did nothing?””
“I tried to investigate. But before I could finish, she changed the arrangements and told me to stop.””
I could finish, she changed the arrangements and told me to stop.””
“Why?””
“Because she was afraid that if the person responsible found out she was“Why?””
“Because she was afraid that if the person responsible found out she was investigating, Evelyn would be put at risk.””
I felt my stomach twist.
My mother had investigating, Evelyn would be put at risk.””
I felt my stomach twist.
My mother had known.
She had known something was wrong, and she had been afraid for me.
My father known.
She had known something was wrong, and she had been afraid for me.
My father spoke through clenched teeth.
“Who was spoke through clenched teeth.
“Who was she afraid of?””
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “I think you should ask your wife why she kept the original agreement.””
Linda went white.
Robert immediately interrupted.
“Daniel, if she afraid of?””
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “I think you should ask your wife why she kept the original agreement.””
Linda went white.
Robert immediately interrupted.
“Daniel, if you have evidence relevant to this matter, you should provide it through the appropriate legal channels. Do not destroy or you have evidence relevant to this matter, you should provide it through the appropriate legal channels. Do not destroy or alter any records.””
“I have never destroyed anything.””
alter any records.””
“I have never destroyed anything.””
“Then you should have no difficulty preserving it.””
Daniel's voice grew sharp“Then you should have no difficulty preserving it.””
Daniel's voice grew sharp.
“You don't understand what you're dealing with.””
Robert's expression remained unchanged.
“Perhaps not. That's why.
“You don't understand what you're dealing with.””
Robert's expression remained unchanged.
“Perhaps not. That's why we're investigating.””
The call ended.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then my father turned toward we're investigating.””
The call ended.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then my father turned toward Linda.
“What original agreement?””
She stared at him.
“I don't know.””
He looked Linda.
“What original agreement?””
She stared at him.
“I don't know.””
He looked at the envelope.
“Daniel just told us to ask you why you kept it.””
“I don't at the envelope.
“Daniel just told us to ask you why you kept it.””
“I don't know what he's talking about!””
Robert closed his briefcase.
“Richard, I suggest we establish exactly which documents know what he's talking about!””
Robert closed his briefcase.
“Richard, I suggest we establish exactly which documents are missing before we make any further decisions. I'll contact the financial institution and request a full account history. I'll also arrange for are missing before we make any further decisions.
I'll contact the financial institution and request a full account history. I'll also arrange for the original trust records to be secured.””
He stood.
“Until then, don't sign anything, transfer any assets the original trust records to be secured.””
He stood.
“Until then, don't sign anything, transfer any assets, or agree to any private settlement.””
Linda's eyes narrowed.
“Private settlement?””
Robert looked at her, or agree to any private settlement.””
Linda's eyes narrowed.
“Private settlement?””
Robert looked at her calmly.
“I'm simply making sure everyone understands the process.””
After he left, my father walked to the calmly.
“I'm simply making sure everyone understands the process.””
After he left, my father walked to the window.
Mia sat motionless at the kitchen table.
I remained beside her window.
Mia sat motionless at the kitchen table.
I remained beside her, staring at the envelope.
Finally, she whispered, “Evelyn?””
I turned.
, staring at the envelope.
Finally, she whispered, “Evelyn?””
I turned.
“I'm sorry.””
The words sounded unfamiliar coming from her.
Not because“I'm sorry.””
The words sounded unfamiliar coming from her.
Not because she had never apologized before, but because this time she wasn't asking me to make she had never apologized before, but because this time she wasn't asking me to make her feel better.
She looked genuinely ashamed.
“I don't expect you to forgive me,” she continued. her feel better.
She looked genuinely ashamed.
“I don't expect you to forgive me,” she continued.
“I just need you to know that I didn't understand what Mom was doing.””
I thought about the scissors in her “I just need you to know that I didn't understand what Mom was doing.””
I thought about the scissors in her hand.
The ruined embroidery.
The note I had written to myself.
“You didn't understand the hand.
The ruined embroidery.
The note I had written to myself.
“You didn't understand the money,” I said.
“But you understood the dress.””
Mia closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
“And you destroyed it money,” I said.
“But you understood the dress.””
Mia closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
“And you destroyed it anyway.””
“Yes.””
I nodded slowly.
“Then start by telling the truth, even anyway.””
“Yes.””
I nodded slowly.
“Then start by telling the truth, even when it makes you look bad.””
She wiped her face.
“I will.””
I wanted to when it makes you look bad.””
She wiped her face.
“I will.””
I wanted to believe her.
But before either of us could say anything else, my father's phone vibrated on the believe her.
But before either of us could say anything else, my father's phone vibrated on the table.
An email had arrived from the financial institution.
The subject line read:
**URGENT: HISTOR table.
An email had arrived from the financial institution.
The subject line read:
*URGENT: HISTORICAL TRUST ACCOUNT ACCESS REVIEW.*
My father opened it.
His eyes moved down the screen.
ICAL TRUST ACCOUNT ACCESS REVIEW.**
My father opened it.
His eyes moved down the screen.
Then his hand began to tremble.
“Richard?”” I asked.
He didn'tThen his hand began to tremble.
“Richard?”” I asked.
He didn't answer.
He read the email again, then looked at me.
“They've found the original answer.
He read the email again, then looked at me.
“They've found the original withdrawal authorization.””
“Who signed it?””
He turned the screen toward me.
The signature at the withdrawal authorization.””
“Who signed it?””
He turned the screen toward me.
The signature at the bottom wasn't Linda's.
It wasn't Daniel's.
It was my father's.
And beneath it was a bottom wasn't Linda's.
It wasn't Daniel's.
It was my father's.
And beneath it was a date from three months before my mother died.
A date that made no sense at all.
Because my father had been in another date from three months before my mother died.
A date that made no sense at all.
May you like
Because my father had been in another state that entire week, sitting beside my mother's hospital bed.
## Chapter state that entire week, sitting beside my mother's hospital bed.
