Chain Reactions Read online

  “Dr. Lindstrom? Mr. Fitzgerald will see you now.” The young man behind the pedestal desk pointed toward the glass doors and hit a buzzer to admit her. “Down the hall, last door on your right.”

  “Thanks.”

  She rose and tugged on the back of her suit jacket to settle it in place. She passed by small offices filled with busy-looking attorneys. When she reached the end of the hall, the corridor widened. A secretary sitting behind a desk said, “You can go in, Dr. Lindstrom. Mr. Fitzgerald is waiting for you.”

  Diana peeked around the thick wooden door, which was slightly ajar.

  “Come in, Dr. Lindstrom.” Charles Fitzgerald stood, and she was struck by his height. She was five-feet-nine inches tall, and he made her look short. Where she had imagined him to be a stodgy old man, it turned out the attorney was most likely in his early sixties, nattily attired in a custom-fitted suit, colorful tie, and crisp, white dress shirt.

  She shook his hand and took the proffered seat across the desk from him.

  “I’m glad you decided to see your great-aunt and take on this responsibility.” He folded his hands and rested them on a stack of papers in the middle of his desk. “She wasn’t sure you would, and honestly, she was most reluctant to ask.”

  Diana leaned forward. “To be perfectly frank, I’m not sure why she did, and I’d love it if you could answer some questions for me.”

  “Okay. I’ll do my best.”

  She sorted through the myriad questions swirling in her brain. “What kind of financial shape is Aunt Nora in?” She chided herself for the way the inquiry must’ve sounded. “I’m… I don’t mean to be indelicate…” She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I just want to be certain that we can ensure her the level of care and comfort she needs and deserves at this stage of her life. Does she have sufficient funds to pay for a full-time, private duty nurse? Is she in any danger of losing her home? Does she have adequate medical insurance coverage to take care of prescription drug costs?”

  He nodded. “I understand your concerns.” He retrieved a thick binder from behind him and set it before her. “When I spoke with Nora yesterday morning, she asked that I share some of the details of her living trust with you, including her financials, the status and disposition of her homes—”

  “Did you say, ‘homes’? As in plural?”

  “I did. Nora continues to maintain her primary residence in Cambridge, as well as the cottage in Truro. There are no mortgages or other encumbrances on either property, so I can assure you that she is not in any danger of being homeless.”

  Diana watched him closely. Was he being facetious? She could have sworn she saw the ghost of a smile. But just as quickly, it was gone.

  He reached for the binder and flipped to a section titled, “Real estate holdings.” He turned it back to her and pointed to a line at the bottom of the page.

  She realized her surprise must be showing. The Cambridge home was valued at $2.3 million. The quaint little cottage in Truro was worth another $1.1 million.

  When she looked up, he was watching her. This time, the wry smile was unmistakable.

  “Nora was a child of the Depression. She learned the value of a dollar at a very young age, and she was a saver with no dependents. She always said she wasn’t a penny-pincher. She was simply frugal and prudent. To answer your larger question, she has more than enough resources to take on a full-time nurse. She’s covered by Medicare, which pays for hospice, and she also maintains a generous private health insurance plan that came with her retirement from Dana-Farber. By the way, although Medicare’s hospice benefit will take care of things like durable medical equipment and medications, it will not cover any cost related to private duty care.”

  “Noted.” She paused to consider the wording of her next question. “You’ve known her a long time?”

  “She was one of my first clients. I was just a young pup fresh out of law school.” His eyes took on a faraway look. “I asked her once why she took a chance on me. She said she always insisted that three people be younger than her—her doctor, her financial adviser, and her lawyer.”

  Diana laughed. “That’s funny. But it’s excellent advice and sound strategy.”

  “I learned a lot from listening to your great-aunt. She’s one of the kindest, most patient, nicest people I ever met.” He sighed. “I shall miss her more than you can imagine.”

  A wave of sadness washed over her. Here was a man who was grieving the loss of an extraordinary woman—a woman clearly everyone admired—and she’d never really gotten the chance to know her. “I wish… I wish I knew her as well as you seem to.”

  “She wished with all her heart that things could’ve been different between the two of you.”

  Diana nodded and swallowed hard, working to keep her emotions in check. “Why wasn’t it?” she asked quietly. It was the question she kept coming back to.

  He smiled kindly at her. “That’s something you’re going to have to ask Nora yourself.”

  He patted the stack of papers in the middle of his desk. “I’ve got some documents for you. Some of these are informational, like the names of banks where Nora has accounts, account numbers, locations of safe-deposit boxes, contact information for her financial adviser, her life, health, and home insurance details, and a list of her healthcare providers.

  “I’ve also included several certified copies of her durable power of attorney and her health care proxy. Take the power of attorney with you to the banks, etcetera, and have them file that information so that you can access her accounts and pay the bills.

  “Give the health care proxy to her health care providers and make sure they have it on file so that they know you are authorized to make decisions for her.” He swept all the documents up and placed them in another labeled three-ring binder with Diana’s name on it.

  She tried to take it all in. It seemed surreal to be sitting here, having this conversation, realizing that she was about to become responsible for every decision and every transaction for someone else—someone who obviously had been meticulous in planning and living her life. Aunt Nora was a stranger to her. How could she be sure Diana would make the right decisions for her?

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, just a little overwhelmed. I can’t believe Aunt Nora trusts me with all this. She doesn’t even know me.”

  There was that look again. Fitzgerald said, “You’re wrong. She knows you far better than you think.”

  She wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but he stood, signaling the meeting was over. She stood as well.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said. “I’m glad Nora has you to rely on. If you have any questions or need anything, please feel free to reach out to me via phone or e-mail. My contact details are in the binder.”

  “Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  “Please give Nora my love and tell her Emily and I will be out to see her as soon as we can.”

  “I will.” She shook his hand and turned to leave.

  “Dr. Lindstrom?”

  “Yes?”

  “Take good care of Nora. She’s one in a million.”

  “I will,” Diana said, and she meant it.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The grandfather clock chimed and roused Nora from sleep. The grogginess lingered, and she felt herself suspended in that twilight netherworld, where she was never sure where “then” ended and “now” began.

  There was her coffee table, and the Monet print on the wall, and today’s paper opened to the crossword puzzle… And sitting across the way in one of the two chairs that faced the couch was Brooke.

  “I’m not very good company, am I? I fall asleep without the slightest provocation.”

  Brooke laid aside the book she’d been reading. “You’re excellent company, but I’m not here to be entertained. I stopped by to see how the rest of your morning went and you were napping. I didn’t want to disturb you so I decided to wait.”

  “Oh, dear.
I hope I wasn’t out long. What a waste of a beautiful day.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’m one hundred years old.”

  “Fair enough,” Brooke said. “Although something more descriptive about your state of health would be helpful.”

  “Right. My bathroom habits have been regular, I enjoyed a little toast and tea, and I had difficulty with fifty-three across in today’s puzzle, which naturally made me wonder if I was losing my faculties. Otherwise, I have been as you found me, asleep at the wheel.”

  “Excellent.” Brooke packed her book into a computer bag sitting on the floor next to her. “I imagine Diana should be here any minute.”

  “If she met with Charles, it shouldn’t have taken too terribly long. He’s a busy man.”

  “Is Charles your attorney?”

  “Has been pretty much since the day he graduated law school.” Nora smiled at the memory. “He was so young and idealistic back then.”

  “And now?”

  “Now?” Nora laughed. “Now he’s a big-shot managing partner, balding and still idealistic. I hope you’ll get to meet him. He and his wife, Emily are wonderful people. He’s taken good care of me over the years.”

  The doorbell rang and Nora called out, “It’s open!”

  Diana let herself in. “How did you know I wasn’t a criminal?”

  “Criminals don’t ring the doorbell,” she answered, as Diana gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “You never know. I might’ve been a very polite criminal.” She sat in the available chair.

  “You look very nice,” Brooke said.

  “Thank you. I rarely have cause to wear business suits in the classroom. I had to dig this one up from the depths of my closet.”

  “I take it you met with Charles?” Nora asked.

  “Yes, I met with Mr. Fitzgerald this morning. He was very helpful.”

  “Good. Do you have everything you need?”

  “I think so. Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course. Anything.”

  Brooke stood. “If you two don’t mind, this seems like the perfect time for me to stretch my legs. I’m going to take a quick walk on the beach. I’ll be back in about twenty minutes.”

  Nora appreciated Brooke’s less-than-subtle attempt to give her and Diana privacy. “Take your time,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day out there and I’m not going anywhere.”

  Diana waited to speak until Brooke took her leave. “I’m just… I want to make sure you’re comfortable with me paying your bills and taking care of your business.”

  “I am. I wouldn’t have instructed Charles to provide you with the keys to the car, so to speak, unless I was.”

  “Who has been paying your bills up until now?”

  She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “I have, my dear. Who else?”

  “You still pay your own bills?”

  “I do.”

  “But you don’t seem to have access to the internet or own a computer.”

  She chuckled. “There are these things called billing invoices, checkbooks, checks, envelopes, and stamps. Old-fashioned notions in today’s world, I realize. Nevertheless, they do still exist.”

  “You pay everything with a check?”

  “I do. Although occasionally I use cash if I’m at a store.”

  “What about credit cards?”

  “What about them?”

  “I didn’t see any credit card account information.”

  She shook her head. “I ripped up my last credit card the day I retired. Haven’t used one since.”

  If she hadn’t thought it would offend Diana, she would’ve laughed at the incredulous expression on her face. “When you don’t buy beyond your means, you don’t need a credit card. If I don’t have the money for something, I don’t buy it.”

  “I see,” Diana said. “Do you want me to take over the responsibility for paying your bills now?” She shifted uncomfortably in the chair. “I mean… You’re obviously perfectly capable of managing your own affairs.”

  “I am, but I suspect that won’t be true for too much longer. Don’t you think it would be best if you had a trial run before I am no longer able to help you?”

  “That makes sense. I just don’t want to sweep into your life and take over. I want you to maintain as much control over your affairs as you want to have.”

  “I appreciate your concern, Diana. That’s very thoughtful of you. But I assure you, I’m perfectly comfortable with whatever choices and decisions you make on my behalf.”

  Diana jumped up and started pacing. “How are you so unfazed by all of this? You don’t even know me, and yet you are entrusting me with life-and-death decisions and all of your finances—everything you worked for your entire career. I don’t get it.”

  She waited until Diana made eye contact with her. “Please, sit down. There’s no reason for you to get yourself worked up.”

  Diana sat on the edge of her chair.

  “That’s better. Please understand. I’ve had my life. I’ve finished everything I’m going to accomplish, made my living, and taken care of my financial needs and affairs. I am at peace with whatever comes next. As you are now aware, I have sufficient resources to carry me through the rest of this life with enough to spare, thank God. Whatever you do on my behalf, Diana, I know you will do with love, because that’s who you are. I am in the best possible hands. What more could I ask for?”

  Diana frowned. “You could ask for someone who knew the first thing about you to take on such an important role.”

  She sighed. She was tiring again, but she refused to give in to sleep until she had eased Diana’s mind. “As I explained to you yesterday, while others may know the details of my life more fully, no one better knows my heart, Diana. It’s where you always have lived and where you live still.”

  Diana’s face reddened. “You had a funny way of showing it. Most people who feel that way don’t evaporate into thin air never to return.”

  What should she say? What could she say without venturing into truths she hoped to keep to herself? “Your parents were your gatekeepers, Diana. You were a child. It was their right—”

  “Their rights were not more important than me.”

  She closed her eyes against the angst of that ten-year-old child who had clung to her pant leg. Clearly, yesterday’s conversation was insufficient to ameliorate Diana’s pain. “What did your parents tell you? What did Grandpa Bill tell you?”

  “Which day?” Diana asked, her frustration clear. “One day you were traveling the world on some top-secret business and couldn’t be contacted. Another time you no longer wanted to be part of the family.”

  She gasped.

  “Then there was the famous, ‘Aunt Nora is too busy to be bothered with us.’ The list went on and on, until finally, when I wanted to invite you to my graduation when I received my doctorate, Mom and Dad told me you were dead.”

  Nora swallowed hard as some of the missing pieces of the puzzle fell into place for her. She’d experienced some of their cruelty, but this last bit…that they would lie with such viciousness… She’d thought that beyond even them.

  “Why do you seem surprised by that? You already knew I thought you were dead.”

  “That’s true. But I was unaware of the timing or the details of whatever lies you were fed. I’m sorry.” She felt her energy draining away and tried to focus. “I know you want answers. I wish I had more stamina. If you would be kind enough to exercise patience with me, I promise I will respond more fully to your question soon. Can you accept that answer for now?”

  “Yes, of course. I don’t mean to tax you.”

  “Thank you. I know you’re disappointed, Diana. In the meantime, please look in the end-table drawer. There’s a picture frame in there. It’s facedown. Would you be so kind as to retrieve it?”

  Diana did as she was told.

  Nora gestured to the picture. “Turn it over and see for yourself.”

  Dia
na turned the frame, gazed at the picture, and recognition dawned. “Where did you get this? Where did you get a picture of me receiving my diploma?”

  “I took it myself.”

  Diana slumped heavily into the chair. “Are you saying you were there that day?”

  Nora fought to stay awake. “I was. Your parents didn’t know it. Nobody did.” Her words were beginning to run together. “I never missed a big occasion, Diana. Never. I was so proud of you that day. Still am…”

  Brooke paused at the top of the steps and checked to be sure her feet were free of sand. She estimated she’d been gone about half an hour—hopefully long enough for Nora and Diana to discuss whatever it was they needed to discuss.

  “I’m back. I hope I’m not too earl—” Brooke took in the scene before her. Diana sat mutely in the chair, tears running down her cheeks. She held a picture frame loosely in her hands. Nora remained on the couch. Although she was sitting up, her eyes were closed and her head was tipped back.

  Brooke glanced from one of them to the other and back again. “Are you all right?”

  Diana nodded.

  “What happened?” When Diana didn’t answer, she strode the few steps to the couch and gently shook Nora’s shoulder.

  “Nora? Dr. Lindstrom? Can you hear me?”

  Nora stirred briefly and Brooke relaxed ever-so-slightly. “Nora, I’m going to get you into the chair and get you to bed. Is that all right?”

  “Mmm.”

  “Okay. Give me one second.” She glanced back at Diana, who hadn’t moved. “Are you going to be okay for a minute?”

  Diana nodded again. Brooke didn’t like her color or her demeanor, but that would have to wait until she could get Nora settled. Once she’d done that, she returned to the living room. Diana was sitting in the same position she’d been in when Brooke had walked through the sliding glass doors from the deck minutes ago.