Chapter 4 - Six Months Too Late
Greg finally let Emily inside.
Dana wanted to know what was happening.
“What does she mean six months too late?”
Emily walked to the kitchen table.
She put the blue folder down but did not open it immediately.
First, she looked at the suitcase.
“Grandma, did you pack that?”
“No.”
Her expression changed.
Greg snapped, “This has nothing to do with you.”
“It has everything to do with me if you’re trying to remove Grandma from her own house.”
“Our own family situation is none of your business.”
I spoke.
“She is here because I asked her to be.”
Greg turned toward me.
“You don’t understand what you’ve done.”
“I understand perfectly.”
He looked at Emily.
“What did you make her sign?”
Emily’s voice stayed level.
“Nothing.”
“You think I’m stupid?”
“I think you assumed Grandma was.”
Dana stepped closer.
“Can somebody explain what is happening?”
Emily opened the folder.
She did not wave papers around theatrically.
She simply placed one copy on the table.
“Six months ago, Grandma made an independent estate plan concerning this property.”
Greg laughed.
“She can change it.”
“Not in the way you’re expecting.”
His smile faded.
I watched his eyes move across the page.
He understood enough.
“You transferred the house?”
I answered.
“I protected my right to stay here and decided what happens after I’m gone.”
“To her?”
“Yes.”
Greg’s face went red.
“You gave Emily the house?”
Dana looked at him sharply.
“Greg?”
He ignored her.
“You haven’t seen her in years!”
“Because you told both of us the other wanted nothing to do with the relationship.”
His face changed.
Only slightly.
Emily saw it too.
Dana looked between them.
“What does that mean?”
Emily answered.
“My father told Grandma I cut her off.”
Greg said, “You did.”
“No. You told me Grandma didn’t want me around.”
“That is not what happened.”
I looked at him.
“Then explain it.”
Silence.
Dana’s confidence was disappearing.
Greg reached toward the folder.
Emily closed it.
“No.”
“This is my family.”
“And this is Grandma’s paperwork.”
He stared at her.
Then at the keys in her hand.
“Why do you have keys?”
I answered.
“Because I gave them to her.”
He looked hurt.
That almost reached me.
Then he glanced toward the suitcase he packed.
The feeling disappeared.
Dana finally said, “Fine. Whatever. Margaret can stay. We’ll figure out the sale later.”
Emily looked at her.
“There isn’t going to be a sale.”
Dana frowned.
“What?”
Greg suddenly became very interested in the papers.
That reaction mattered.
“Greg?” Dana asked.
He did not answer.
She stepped closer.
“You told me the house was basically yours already.”
I turned toward her.
“What?”
Greg’s head snapped up.
“Dana.”
“You said your father left you ownership rights.”
My tea stopped halfway to my mouth.
Arthur had done no such thing.
Emily slowly turned toward Greg.
May you like
“Dad, what exactly have you been telling people?”
And for the second time that morning, his face lost color.
