Chapter 7
Nora came back the next morning with the copied letter.
Sienna read it slowly. Daniel’s statement filled two pages. At the bottom of the second page was her signature, dark and familiar.
“He told me it was for my health insurance,” she said. “I only saw the last page.”
Nora placed another sheet beside it.
“This is the document your father says you signed. Do you remember where you were?”
“At his kitchen table. Last February. He said I had to sign before my appointment.”
Audrey clenched her jaw.
Nora asked more questions. Sienna answered some at once. For others, she took a minute to remember. Nobody hurried her.
Afterward, Nora explained what she could do. She would challenge the letter and ask for records from the clinic, Daniel’s lawyer, and anyone who witnessed the signing.
“There may be another copy,” she said.
“I might have one,” Sienna answered.
She went upstairs and came back with a small notebook covered in pressed flowers. Audrey had given it to her years ago. Its pages held lists, drawings, and dates.
“When Dad asked me to sign things, I started writing down what he said they were for,” she explained. “I didn’t think anyone would believe me if I forgot.”
On a page dated February seventeenth, she had written: Dad says insurance form. Only showed signature page. Ask for copy.
I looked at Audrey. Her eyes were shining.
“You remembered to protect yourself,” she told Sienna.
“I learned from you.”
That sentence nearly undid Audrey. She reached across the table and held her sister’s hand.
Nora photographed the page. She also asked to keep copies of several other entries. Sienna agreed after Nora explained exactly how they would be used.
Later that day, I drove Audrey to Richmond to meet the lawyer who was examining Marianne’s records. She had asked me to come, and I felt grateful for the trust in that small request.
The lawyer, Mr. Chen, showed us the account’s history. Daniel had withdrawn money over many years and moved much of it through a company registered in his own name.
“Can it be recovered?” Audrey asked.
“We’ll pursue what we can,” he said. “Some funds may still be in property or accounts. We need a full accounting.”
Audrey looked at the figures. “I worked nights to pay for Sienna’s care because he told me there was nothing.”
I had no answer for that. I moved my chair closer.
On our way back, Audrey asked me to stop at the apartment she had planned to share with Julian after the wedding. She wanted to pick up clothes for herself and Sienna.
Julian was there. He had cleaned out the spare room and set Sienna’s puzzle on a table by the window. He stepped back when Audrey came in.
“I hope that’s all right,” he said. “I can move it.”
Sienna had told him she liked working in daylight. He had remembered.
“It’s all right,” Audrey said.
Julian nodded, relieved but careful.
He showed her the room. Its shelves were empty, waiting for Sienna to choose what belonged there. Audrey stood in the doorway for a long time.
“I can’t move in today,” she told him.
“I know.”
“I don’t know when I’ll be ready.”
“I’ll keep the room available. Both rooms.”
On the drive home, Audrey was quiet. When we reached the edge of Oakhaven Springs, she spoke.
“I love him. I just need to know he’ll listen when something scares him.”
“I think he heard you,” I said. “Take the time you need to find out.”
She rested her head against the window.
The following week, Sienna met with a counselor and spoke to Nora again. She also returned to the garden center for two short shifts. I picked her up after the second one. She climbed into my car carrying a little pot of basil.
“My manager said I can help plan the spring display,” she told me.
“You sound excited.”
“I am.” She looked down at the plant. “I was scared I wouldn’t be good at it anymore.”
“Did your manager think that?”
“No.” Sienna laughed softly. “Just me.”
At home, a letter from the court was waiting. A hearing had been scheduled for the next month. Nora said the judge would hear Sienna’s wishes before making any decision about her finances.
Sienna placed the basil on the kitchen windowsill, then read the notice herself.
“I can speak there?” she asked Nora over the phone.
“Yes.”
“And he has to listen?”
“The judge will listen,” Nora said.
Sienna considered that.
“Good.”
That night, I found Julian on our porch. He had come to drop off groceries Audrey had requested. He held the bag but had not rung the bell.
“She said I could bring these,” he explained. “I didn’t know if she wanted to see me.”
I opened the door and called to Audrey. She came out and thanked him. They stood beneath the porch light, speaking quietly.
When Julian left, Audrey carried the groceries inside.
May you like
“How was that?” I asked.
“He asked what I needed,” she said. “Then he listened to the answer.”
