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I watch the pale, shrunken form of my aunt, seeming to sleep. “How far away is it?”
“It’s down in the basement. I can ask Sister Ilona to sit with her. She can call us if anything changes.”
As we make our way slowly down the wide oak stairway to the main floor of the hospital, I feel the old nun glancing my way. Even wrapped in my own guilt, I do my best to smile, be grateful for her care to my family.
We take the final steps in silence. She lifts a heavy key from inside her robe and unlocks the door. I follow her through an oak paneled foyer to a smaller room, a room that actually looks like the inside of a safe.
She pulls the box an inch out of the space where it’s housed. “Take your time.”
With that, she turns and leaves me alone in the quiet room. The floors, walls, and ceiling are all shining silver, almost like steel. A bare table is behind me, and metal folding chairs are arranged around it.
I take the narrow box out of the chute and set it carefully on the table, lifting the lid, not knowing what to expect.
Aunt Genevieve never regained consciousness. She slipped away without a sound as I sat beside her bed, looking out at the snow falling gently. It hardly ever snows in Oakville. I wonder if Drew would like the snow.
I haven’t turned my phone on since I arrived here. I hate doing this again, but I know if I see her words begging me to come back, I’ll drop everything and go. I can’t do that right now. She needs to make peace with her father, and I need to give her space, settle my family’s business here.
“Her long-term health insurance covered most of her time with us.” Sister Constance sits across from me, her hands in her lap. “You shouldn’t have any trouble covering the balance when you’re ready.”
“Long-term health insurance.” I’m holding my aunt’s will.
“Even without it, you wouldn’t have had any difficulties.” Her tone is all business. “You’re one of the wealthiest landowners on the East Coast.”
When Mack died, he’d left me what I thought was a large inheritance. What I found in my aunt’s safety deposit box has been difficult for me to comprehend. In addition to money and holdings, I found the title deed for what the nun described as an enormous estate in Chateau Country. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.
“It’s been ten years since anyone lived there.” She gives me a gentle smile. “From what I’ve heard, the Cole family estate is the largest in Brandywine Valley. It includes a mansion with extensive gardens and grounds extending for several miles.”
The documents in my hands feel strangely light to carry such weight. “Why didn’t I know about this?”
“I can’t answer that question for you.” Our eyes meet, and she smiles. “When your uncle came here, he was very concerned with getting all of the documents legally transferred to your name as the sole heir.” Her laugh is gentle. “He drove Sister Marie crazy asking about it every day.”
“Is she a lawyer?”
“She coordinated between him and the lawyer for our convent. We have a rather extensive estate ourselves.”
“Right.” I’ve heard stories. Still, I’m not sure what to make of this news. It changes everything. “My aunt wanted to be cremated.”
“I believe your family has a mausoleum on the grounds near one of the waterfalls.” Waterfalls… I can’t even imagine. “I can help you make those arrangements.”
“Mack didn’t ask to be buried in a mausoleum.”
My uncle was buried beside his first wife, who was killed in a car crash before I went to live with him. Sometimes, late at night if he’d been drinking, he’d say it was why he wanted to work on cars. He wanted to make sure the brakes worked, make sure nothing was broken that might cause an accident. I didn’t understand at the time. Now it makes so much sense.
“How are you feeling these days?” My eyes flicker to hers, which are full of concern. “I didn’t want to say anything when you arrived. You seem more sad than when you left us.”
My lips tighten in a smile. “Being back home was harder than I expected.”
“I prayed for you daily.” Constance had been my first counselor when I returned, but she’d referred me to a doctor for medication. “Did you settle the matters that were troubling you?”
/> I study the papers in my hands as I consider how my homecoming played out. “I visited Danny’s grave. Drew was there.” My chest tightens when I remember that night. “I tried to give her space. I’m not sure I can ever do it again.”
“Drew is the girl you loved?” I nod, and she leans back in her chair. “Why would you want to give her space?”
“Her family doesn’t like me.” It sounds like a weak excuse. “I’m worried about my illness, what I might do to her if I’m not in control.”
The documents I’m holding take on a different meaning as I speak. Money gives me freedom. I could go to my large estate and stay there. Billy could take over the garage. It’s what he always wanted. Drew never has to be hurt.
“Holding yourself apart from the people who love you seems like a Cole family trait.” We exchange a glance and she smiles. “I’ve known your family a long time. I’ve seen them do it again and again.”
