Chapter 2 - Margaret Had Been Asked to Sign Something
Daniel took Margaret into the downstairs guest room.
Claire stayed in the living room.
He did not trust himself to continue talking to her while angry.
Margaret sat on the edge of the bed with both hands wrapped around a glass of water.
Daniel crouched in front of her.
“What did you mean when you nodded?”
Margaret looked ashamed.
“Claire has never hit me.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Margaret lowered her eyes.
“She has thrown things.”
“How many times?”
“Twice before tonight.”
Daniel stared.
“What?”
“Nothing at me. A cup. A book.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I tried.”
“When?”
“Last month.”
Daniel remembered.
Margaret had called him at work.
She said:
Claire and I are having trouble.
Daniel had answered:
I’ll talk to her.
Then a contractor called.
Then a client.
Then dinner.
He forgot.
Margaret had tried again several days later.
I think Claire wants me out.
Daniel told her:
She’s stressed. Give her some room.
Now shame moved through him.
“What happened tonight?”
Margaret reached into the drawer beside the bed.
She pulled out a brown envelope.
Inside were several photocopied documents.
Daniel recognized the address immediately.
Their house.
The property where they were standing.
At the top of one page:
RELEASE AND TERMINATION OF LIFE ESTATE
Daniel looked up.
“What is this?”
“Claire asked me to sign it.”
His expression changed.
“When?”
“The first time was three weeks ago.”
“What did she tell you it was?”
“Paperwork for refinancing.”
Daniel stared at her.
They had discussed refinancing.
A modest loan.
Roof replacement.
Updated electrical system.
Maybe a new HVAC system before winter.
Approximately:
$150,000.
Nothing involving Margaret surrendering her right to live there.
Daniel looked back at the document.
His father had created Margaret’s life estate twelve years earlier.
The arrangement was simple.
When Robert died, Daniel received the remainder interest in the Virginia property.
Margaret retained the legal right to live there for the rest of her life.
Not because Daniel refused to support:
her.
Because Robert wanted both people he loved protected.
His wife could not be displaced after his death.
His son would eventually receive the property.
Everyone knew.
Claire knew.
Daniel turned another page.
There was a lender’s preliminary worksheet.
Requested loan amount:
$425,000.
Daniel stopped.
“That’s not our renovation loan.”
Margaret whispered:
“I know.”
Daniel looked at her.
“How?”
“I took the papers to my lawyer.”
That was why Claire had become furious.
Margaret had not merely refused to sign.
May you like
She had learned enough to understand Claire was asking her to surrender far more than she had been told.
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