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Maire had poured herself a big glass of wine after hearing that news. The press even hounded Maire and the girls for a short time. Camera crews showing up in tiny Calico was a big deal, but she and her family stayed behind locked doors, refusing interviews until the frenzy died down. All she wanted to do was return to her normal, everyday life, with her girls.
Maire went back to making her jewelry. Her Etsy store was getting a boost from the show’s publicity. But it wasn’t enough. Thankfully, Shar sold her small home and moved in with Maire and the girls to help make payments. They had a reprieve, but it was short-lived. Dani had a relapse and was in and out of the hospital all winter long.
Maire took a sip of her coffee and looked at the pile of mail in front of her. The bills were still piling up. She would lose the house; it was inevitable. With a sigh, she began to sort through the envelopes. An electric bill, a water bill, a vet bill, and, of course, medical bills. The final letter was different. The envelope was expensive, made from fine cream-colored linen paper, but it was the name on the return address that caused Maire to sit up. Fern Espa.
A letter from Fern? Why? Maire opened the envelope, holding her breath as she pulled out the folded card inside. The note card was made from the same expensive paper as the envelope and was embossed with the initials F.E. What could Fern possibly have to say to her? There had been no communication between them since that last day at the villa. Fern was probably afraid that the contestants were going to sue the show, or sue Cat’s estate. Maire’s mind spun as she opened the note card and another piece of paper fluttered to the ground.
With shaking fingers, Maire bent over to pick it up. It was a check. A check signed by Fern in the amount of one million dollars. Maire counted the zeros to be sure. Fern had given her one million dollars.
Tears filled Maire’s eyes as she read the words that Fern had written on the note card in loopy cursive.
You would have won.
F.E.
