Simon: Y or N?
Sofia: Brian to me, is what Maria is to you.
My blood boiled.
Sofia: Sorry, I meant what Maria WAS to you. LOL.
I had given a small chuckle at that. Still, I had to know. Hell, for all I knew, she could've been in bed with Brian right that moment. But after several back-and-forth texts where she promptly told me to bother one of my other fuck buddies, I was none the wiser.
After I took the edge trimmer to the corners of Fran's yard, I packed away the equipment and made my way into Francine's house.
"Fran? I'm done."
"One second, dear!" I heard her muffled voice call out.
A spread of documents on her dining table caught my eye. Because I was a nosey fucker, I paused briefly and ran a quick look over the stack of paperwork. I recognized the letterhead as a local bank and immediately turned away, not wanting to pry.
Francine came out to greet me with a wide smile. She took a peek outside and preened, clapping her hands together in gratitude. "I can't thank you enough for this. You must let me pay you. I feel so bad taking up part of your Saturday."
"Fran, your cookies and lemonade are payment enough." I patted my flat stomach. "I'm happy to do it. Honestly." And I was. It was my pleasure to help her and her husband out.
Henry had improved enough to come home the next week, provided he had a carer. I already talked Francine into giving me a list of chores to do around the house. A lot of the DIY stuff I wasn't sure about. But that's what YouTube was for and the friendly workers at the local depo store.
I nodded to the kitchen table as I sipped my lemonade. "You organizing paperwork?"
"Oh gosh," she put her hand to her head.
"Honestly, our home is never this messy. With Henry's sudden stroke and coming home next week, we thought it would be a good idea to go over our financials, especially since I need to hire a full-time nurse. Henry usually deals with the money and bills but..." her throat caught, and she went about attempting to organize the piles of paper as she pulled herself together. "They don't think he'll get any better than he is now. The next stroke may...it may..."
I came around the table and put my arm around Francine, cuddling her as she sniffed into me. "Hey, it's okay. One day at a time. At least he's coming home."
She nodded and pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve. Old people could produce that shit out of nowhere.
"I need to sort out our finances. Get our wills sorted. I know we should've done it by now, but Henry was always so healthy and active. I always thought we had time."
Before she went off into tears again, an idea formed in my head.
"Look, you know I work in the finance world. I'm a financial planner and advisor. I'm damn good at my job. If it's okay with you and Henry, let me help you guys through this."
I took her hands in mine. I knew how to talk to a potential client; I had a pre-prepared speech and the means to wine and dine. But Francine was more than that. More than a neighbor. She was a friend—someone I liked and respected.
"No charge, of course, and no obligation for anything. I can do this in my sleep, and it would be an honor to help the two of you sift through this."
"Oh-"
"I also know a lawyer who can help look over your will and ensure your estate is in order. They offer pro bono work."
I didn't know if my dad would be willing to offer pro bono services, but if not, I would pay for her.
But considering I referred many clients to my dad's firm, my dad owed me one. I never mentioned to him that I referred clients on. I assumed they told him when and if they made contact. But I had yet to hear a word from my father. Not an inquiry or a thank you. So I had no qualms now about cashing in on the extra business I sent his way.
Tears shone in Francine's eyes. She gripped my hand tightly and gave me a watery smile. "You are a wonderful man, Simon. Thank you so much."
I used to balk whenever Francine called me 'wonderful' or a 'good boy.' But now, I was starting to believe I could be worthy of that title.
Chapter 13
Simon
