It takes a few extra seconds for my brain cells to process the words, and when they finally do, my jaw nearly hits the floor. I feel as if I’m on some kind of game show and we’re about to watch a dozen women in low-cut dresses and stilettos emerge from the study with numbered silver suitcases. Or maybe the host—the Armani-clad lawyer—is going to ask if we’d like to try to double our money.
But it’s not a game show. It’s really happening. Though we’d all assumed that Claire’s half of the estate would be going to Ash, Gabe and his brothers are getting a chunk of it. Even with estate taxes and legal fees, my husband and I are about to receive alotof money.
I steal a glance at Gabe, but his face is a total blank. I know this is as big a shock to him as it is to me, and it must also be horribly bittersweet. The only reason we’re receiving this windfall is a tragic one. But still, this means funds to put aside for the baby we hope to have, to help Gabe deal with the mess at work, to finally redo the grungy second bathroom in our loft.
Trying not to seem obvious, I inch my gaze over toward Ash. His arms are folded over his chest, in a tight, almost protective way, but nothing about his demeanor suggests this news has caught him off guard.
Letena shares a few quick details about how and when the money will be distributed and asks if there are any questions. At first no one says a word or even moves a muscle, but then Blake rises, his hands on the waist of his perfectly pressed black pants. Clearing his throat, he looks directly at Ash.
“Dad, are you really okay with this?” he asks.
“Of course,” Ash says. “Your mother and I worked it out together.”
“But when you and Mom had the estate discussion with us a few years ago, this wasn’t the plan.”
“I know, Blake, but we decided to shift things around a little.” Ash’s arms still guard his torso. “Your mother certainly wasn’t expecting to die at seventy-two, but she decided that if she passed away relatively young, there ought to be money for you each to use right now. Toward a new home, artwork, investments. It’s your call. And I have all the money I need.”
A few heads nod, Gabe’s included. Still, there’s a weird, almost palpable tension in the room. Keira’s hand is resting on Marcus’s arm, but his eyes are glued to the rug. This has to be so emotionally charged for all Claire’s sons.
“No more questions?” the lawyer asks, glancing from one brother to the next.
Before anyone can speak, Ash steps forward. “Letena, I’m sure there’ll be questions once everyone has a chance to digest this. Why don’t you give each of the boys a card, andthey’ll contact you next week? Can I have our housekeeper fix you a plate of food before you head back to the city?”
“I appreciate that, Ash, but it’s not necessary,” she says, obviously knowing how to follow a cue. She slides a small silver case from her purse, withdraws several cards, and passes them around the room.
Ash tells us he’ll see everyone outside for dinner shortly since he’s asked Bonnie to serve the meal early tonight. As we file out of the room, he lingers behind to speak to Letena, who’s slipping the folder into a soft leather briefcase.
“Honey, this must be such a shock,” I say to Gabe. We’re alone in the dining room now, the others having scattered in different directions.
“That’s for sure.”
“Your dad didn’t warn you this was happening today?”
“No, not a word.”
“That was wonderful of your mother. I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah, well, we’ve got plenty of ways to spend it now.... Look, I’m going to see how Henry’s doing. He doesn’t seem like himself today.”
I nod, feeling a pinch of guilt. I’ve been going through the motions a little with Henry over the last two days. “Why don’t the three of us watch a movie together tonight? We can probably commandeer the TV in the den, right?”
“Sure. There are a million old DVDs in there, and I’m sure we can find something he’ll like.”
“I’ll meet you outside in two minutes. I’m going to run to the bathroom.”
As Gabe enters the kitchen, I retrace my steps throughthe dining room, and right before I enter the front hall, I catch a glimpse of Keira and Marcus through the window. They’re standing in the side yard, at this end of the boxwood grove, and from Keira’s pinched expression I can tell their conversation isn’t a pleasant one. Marcus has his back to me, the sleeves of his pale blue shirt rolled to his elbows, and as he gestures in what looks like frustration, I think of what he said earlier, about covering the same ground with Keira again and again. Based on the moment I witnessed between him and Hannah, his reassurances are bullshit, though. Feeling like I shouldn’t be watching them any longer, I move on.
I’m about to turn the handle on the powder room door when Wendy emerges from inside. I glance up and down the corridor, making sure we have the area to ourselves.
“How are you doing?” I ask.
“I think I’m okay,” she says, though I can almost see the worry pulsing from inside her. “I left a message for my OB, and I’ll see what she says.”
“So, for now, you and Blake will be staying out here?”
“Yes, at least for the burial, though I’d love to be anywhere else on the planet. This is all just too much to take. And what a slap in the face that announcement was to Ash.”
Her comment takes me aback.
