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I was happy to see that the clinic would continue. that Daddy had carefully provided for a smooth transition. Dr. Price explained to me how there would be someone to fill Daddy's place, although, he emphasized, no one would ever do it as well as he had.
Not completely to my surprise. Aunt Agnes drew out a list of items she felt my father would have wanted her to have.
"Since they really were hand-me-downs from our parents," she emphasized.
It was quite an extensive list, even including some furniture. When she was finished reciting it, she looked up at Mr. Bassinger, who calmly said it was completely up to me. None of it legally belonged to her. She spun around, prepared to make
a vigorous argument. when I smiled at her and said. "It's fine, Take it all, and enjoy it."
She was left speechless.
Mr. Bassinger bid me goodbye and promised to have all the paperwork prepared. We hugged, and he left. Not more than a half hour later. Margaret Selby and Aunt Agnes were at the front door as well. Their car had come to take them to the airport.
"I'll see to a van to take the items I have listed." she told me.
Almost for the fun of it and just to show her I was capable of being as cold and impersonal as she could be. I made her wait while I made a copy of her precious list.
"Miles will have this," I told her when I returned to the entryway. "He'll be sure it's all taken care of for you."
She took back the list and folded it into her purse. "My advice to you is to put the house on the market." she snapped.
"Thank you. Aunt Agnes. Actually, thank you for being here and doing all that you did," I added sincerely.
It warmed her eyes.
"Mama, can't we get going?" Margaret Selby begged. "We have so much more to do."
"Yes, yes, go on," she said, waving at the door. Margaret Selby started out.
"You could say goodbye to your cousin, Margaret Selby. I know I've taught you proper manners."
"Oh. Sorry. I'm so occupied," Margaret Selby told me. She gave me a perfunctory kiss and hug and flew out the door.
"Do call me if you have any problems whatsoever. Willow." Aunt Agnes said.
"I will. Thank you."
She looked back at the house, and for a moment, I felt sorry for her. There were real tears in her eyes.
"It's very difficult to be the last one alive in your family. All the memories are painful.'
"Weren't there goad memories, precious memories, Aunt Agnes?"
"Yes, but they just make you realize how lonely you really are," she added prophetically. "Goodbye." She hugged me tighter than she ever had and then turned and hurried out after Margaret Selby. I stood in the doorway and watched their limousine go down the driveway.
Now that I was alone, I was able to retrieve Daddy's diary and my real mother's letter from the hiding place in Daddy's office. I brought them up to my room to pack with my other things for my return to school. Early in the evening. Allan called, and I described the day, the funeral, the way it all had ended. He listened patiently and assured me that when I returned tomorrow night, he would be there for me.
I mentioned nothing yet of my father's secret love and my real mother. I wanted to see Dr. Price first and learn whatever else I could from what was at the clinic. I hadn't decided what I would do with the information. anyway.
Before I went to sleep. Miles and I had some leftovers to eat. Over the last dozen or so years especially, he had become my father's most trusted companion. He talked about him with such affection I wondered if he were capable of staying there without him.
"Oh, don't worry none about that." he said. "Far as I'm concerned. Dr. De Beers is just away and expecting me to have everything in tiptop shape when he comes home as usual." he declared, bringing a smile to my face. "But don't you worry about me and my future. either. When you want this house sold, you sell it. I'm fine. The doctor took good care of my future for me."
"I can't imagine this house without you in it, Miles, no matter who gets to own it."
"Well. I can't abide the idea of strangers in it, someone else in his office. I couldn't stay on, no matter what they offered me."
"I know." I gazed around the dining room. "Aunt Agnes might not be all wrong about it. Coming home and knowing he won't be here when I arrive is going to be hard."
