Chapter 23
By fall, Sarah had made another major decision.
She formally relinquished any expectation of discretionary family trust benefits.
Her attorney explained that she did not necessarily need to take such a step, but Sarah wanted the psychological separation documented.
She signed the paperwork at our kitchen table.
I watched her write her name.
“That’s it?” she asked.
Melissa nodded.
“That’s it.”
Sarah stared at the signature.
Millions of hypothetical dollars were now irrelevant.
Melissa packed her documents.
“You feeling okay?”
Sarah laughed softly.
“I thought this would feel bigger.”
“How does it feel?”
“Quiet.”
After Melissa left, Sarah walked outside.
I followed.
Leaves covered the yard.
She stood beneath the maple tree.
“My mother used that money my entire adult life.”
“I know.”
“I thought letting it go would make me terrified.”
“And?”
She looked toward our house.
Lily’s bicycle lay on the driveway.
Our garage door needed repainting.
A crooked Halloween decoration hung from the porch railing.
Our life was not polished.
May you like
It was ours.
“I feel free.”
