Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Called Me Confused
Brooke arrived the next afternoon with a home-care assessor in a gray cardigan. The woman gave me a strained professional smile.
"We're worried about you, June," Brooke said. "You've been confused lately. You forgot our conversation about the house. You misplaced important papers. Evan thinks you might need help managing your affairs."
"Evan can speak for himself."
"He's trying to protect you."
"Then why did he let you tell me to get out?"
The assessor shifted her folder. "I haven't come to make a decision about your property. I was asked to discuss support services and whether you might benefit from an evaluation."
"By whom?"
She checked the form. "Brooke Mercer."
I looked at my daughter-in-law. "You filed a false deed, tried to borrow against my home, and now you're bringing a stranger to suggest I'm not competent to own it?"
Brooke's smile vanished. "You need to be careful what you accuse people of."
"I am being careful. That's why my attorney and a detective have copies of the paperwork."
For the first time, Brooke looked uncertain. It lasted only a second. Then she turned to the assessor and said, "You see what I mean? She gets agitated over ordinary questions."
The assessor closed her folder. "I won't proceed without a proper referral and your consent."
After she left, Brooke stepped closer. "Sign a power of attorney so Evan can manage the house. We can sell it, pay the debts, and find you a nice place."
"There is no mortgage."
"That's exactly why the house is useful."
She said it before she could stop herself. For a moment, her mask slipped. I saw exhaustion, anger, and panic.
"What debts?" I asked.
She straightened her coat. "Ask your son."
"I have. He won't answer."
"Then ask yourself why he needs help and you keep saying no."
She walked away.
That evening, my eight-year-old granddaughter Sophie called. Usually she told me about school before asking for Saturday pancakes. This time, she sounded small.
"Grandma, are you moving away because you don't love us anymore?"
My throat closed. "Who told you that, sweetheart?"
"Mom said you were sick and didn't want to live near us. Dad said not to worry. Are you sick?"
"I'm not moving, and I love you more than all the stars. Grown-ups are having a hard time telling the truth right now. That's not your fault."
She was quiet for a long time. Then she whispered, "Mom said I shouldn't tell you about the papers in her office."
May you like
Before I could ask what papers, a voice called her name in the background.
Sophie hung up.
