His armchair stood beside the window, a knitted blanket folded over one arm.
I couldn’t sit in it.
I chose the straight-backed chair at his desk.
My parents sat opposite me.
Chloe remained by the doorway, sunglasses clenched in one hand.
Nora opened a folder.
“The petition was filed nineteen days ago,” she said.
Nineteen days.
Grandpa had still been alive.
I had been measuring medicine into little plastic cups.
My parents had been telling a court I couldn’t take care of myself.
“They requested an expedited appointment,” Nora continued.
“That request wasn’t granted.
A hearing was scheduled, and Marianne was assigned to investigate.”
“Your grandfather called me after papers arrived here,” Marianne said.
“He was deeply concerned.
We arranged the visit you remember.”
“The questions about the bills?”
“Yes.”
“You were testing me?”
“I was trying to understand the truth.”
I rubbed my palms against my knees.
