“How long will this take?”
“The will and trust setup?”
I nodded.
“Normally, a month, but I cleared my schedule to have this done by Monday for you. In the meantime, I’m going to have Miriam sign a document stating she made this will with me today. This document will be binding.”
Lydia excused herself and took her tablet out of the room. Again, I combed Miri’s hair back and stared into her hazel eyes. She looked so sad, and I wished I could take all of this away from her. No one deserved this, especially her. All she’d ever wanted was to raise her babies in her dream house and just be. Miri was content with the life she had, never asking for anything.
A tear fell, and I dabbed at my face, mindful of the full makeup I’d had to put on this morning for my meeting.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered to her. “This isn’t fair.”
“You’re going to take care of them, right? He won’t get them?”
For the second time today, my blood boiled. “He’ll never get them, Miri. I will fight until I’m blue in the face to protect your babies from him.”
Lydia returned, talking in a high-pitched, happy voice, and bless her heart for her cheerfulness. I turned away and fanned my face to get my emotions under control.
Miri raised her bed as Lydia brought the table closer to her. Miri signed her name, stating the document was her will, and then I signed. This would have to do because time was not our friend.
Before she left, Lydia told us we’d hear from her on Monday. I sat on the edge of the bed and watched my friend.
“Is there anything I need to know?”
She shook her head. “Not that I can think of. Everything’s in my address book. All my accounts, passwords, and social security numbers. Other than the house, I only have my credit card, but there isn’t a lot on there.”
“I should probably go to your office and get your stuff?”
Miri lifted her shoulder. “I think my coworkers there will bring my stuff. It’s mostly pictures of us and the kids.”
I took her hand in mine again. “I need for you to tell me what you want in regard to the kids. Your hopes, dreams, requirements. For sixteen years, I’ve been the fun aunt, and while I’d love to keep things that way, we both know things are changing.”
Miri took a deep inhale and tried to smile. “I really want Cutter to stick with his sports, even though that might be a burden to you.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll work things out with Weston.”
She grinned. “He’s a good man.”
“How come you never dated him?”
Miri shook her head. “Oh no, there is zero spark there. Although I’ve seen him more outside of games since you came to town.”
I rolled my eyes. “I doubt that. He’s just coming around to help out.”
Miri eyed me, and I shook my head.
“There’s absolutely nothing there. Besides, after four years of being with Brendan, I think I’m done.”
“You guys never loved each other. At least, not the way you should’ve after being together that long.”
Unfortunately, I think she was right. We dismissed each other easily, and neither of us had bothered to call or text each other since the fateful night in the kitchen. Surprisingly, I didn’t miss him.
“Enough about my love life. I want to talk about the kids.”
Miri nodded. “I don’t want Cutter to miss out on anything, like prom. He’s such a good boy. Smart. Respectful.”
Moody.But I chalked this up to the fact that his mom was dying, and his teenage emotions were all over the place.
