Review, Edit and Update
This episode of Situationally Theirs, shows three women finding their own strengths. This author stumbled over several misspellings, typos and poor wording. All were repaired. There was also a mention of two other characters not been storied further in any episode that I can think of: 'the family accountant' and 'a cousin'. Neither have names or any other details.....I may have do to something about that.
Stumbling
The visit with the Beaufort Estate lawyer was unknown territory for all three women. The imposing building and dark echoing office didn’t help. Despite eased restrictions, there were still fewer people on the streets. Lineups outside banks, office buildings and grocery stores were still present. Six feet of separation maintained by painted or taped lines on sidewalks and down aisles. There were the same green lines spaced outside the building that housed the law offices, where there were also I.T offices, a local coffee shop, a small pharmacy and many medical and dental offices. Listings for each floor were to be found on an engraved legend beside elevators that ferried people to and from appointments.
Emelina, Dez and Brigitte had been questioned about travel and symptoms before being allowed into the building. Brigitte was pleased with Miss Emelina’s handling of the situation. The more she was with her in her role of personal assistant, the better able she was to see the transformation that had taken place. While Brigitte wouldn’t wish Covid19 on anyone, the effect of the social distancing and so called lockdown had pushed Emelina out of her comfort zone. Brigitte had never even met a lawyer in the past, let alone had an appointment with one. She didn’t see how she could help, but Miss Emelina had insisted that she and Dez accompany her. Once in the lawyer’s office, even before Mr. Donohue was there, Brigitte understood Miss Em’s desire for support. Even Brigitte, tall and confident, had felt like she was shrinking in that big and quite sterile feeling space.
Miss Emelina took charge when the lawyer, Mr. Donohue, had been talking about the details of Michael Beaufort’s will. “Please, Mr. Donohue, speak English rather than all the long winded legal explanations.” Once she got past that initial hurtle, her Charity board room experiences had taken over and allowed her to be more assertive.
“Well then, Mrs Beaufort.............” Emelina didn’t remind him that she had asked him to call her Emelina, her given name. After she had spoken to him for only a few minutes, she much preferred the use of formal names. It had the effect of levelling the playing field, a playing field that belonged to him.
Mr. Donahue repeated "Well then, Mrs. Beaufort,"....and continued "this meeting will be much shorter than I anticipated. The will in question, prepared by me and signed by your husband, Mr. Michael Beaufort, states, in short form, that he bequeaths all monies and properties to you. He stipulates that, as sole owner, you are to continue with working with the family accountant for at least one year. After that you may change that agreement. He also stipulates that should you want to make any changes or additions to the estate, that said accountant be involved in any financial dealings. There were some minor monetary gifts to a cousin, but that was taken care of as soon as the will was probated. Is that sufficient information?”
“For the most part, but can his will be challenged by anyone? You mentioned a cousin? I'm certain you know if a challenge is possible and if there have been any challenges to the will. Can you confirm that with me, please?
Mr. Donahue spoke patiently as if speaking to a child. “No, Mrs. Beaufort, there have been no challenges and at any time, any will can be challenged.”
“I think you’ve answered all our questions for now, Mr. Donahue. Thank you for providing us with a copy of the will. I will speak to Digby about the location and security of the original will.” Miss Emelina asked both Dez and Brigitte if they had any questions, more to assure Mr. Donohue that she had back up than to find out about questions. When they did not, Miss Emelina ended the conversation by standing up and pushing back her chair. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Donohue. Please make certain to bill the estate appropriately.” She was curious about his hourly rate, but chose not to ask. She would find out either from Digby or the accountant. It was after this relatively short meeting that they went to the park where Emelina could let go of all the tension she had built up.
“So, Dez I know what you thought of Mr. Donohue and I must say I agree with you. His firm may have been the lawyers for the family for many years, and very likely good ones, however I felt like I'd been called into the principle's office. And we were the ones to ask for the meeting! Brigitte, what are your thoughts?”
“Honestly? Did you see the suit he was wearing? Casual grey slacks, open necked white shirt - they had to have been silk. His shoes were amazing - deep copper brown Italian leather loafers - and no socks..... What?”
“You’re giving me an opinion about his wardrobe? What are your thoughts about the meeting?” Emelina and Dez were both laughing.
“Well, obviously he has made a lot of money ~ his clothes, his office and in that building! I guess I’m trying to say that he seemed pretty slick. I don’t even know any lawyers. I did feel like he thought he was doing us a favour. Good for you for the comment about billing. I’m pretty sure he would anyway, but you basically gave him permission. It was not the most comfortable meeting I’ve ever been in but, you handled it really well. If there are any future meetings, it'll probably get better. We just have to get to know each other.”
"You're absolutely right, Brigitte." Emelina suddenly turned to Dez. “Dez, do you remember when Grandpa Eliot died and Grandma was left in control of their tiny ‘estate’. Grandma didn’t even know how to write a cheque. Grandpa had always paid the bills, gave Grandma an allowance, and took care of any other financial thing. Do you remember what Grandma said?”
“Wow.That takes me back. Let’s see. It was something like ‘I can fall apart and you’d lock me up in a looney bin or I can learn how to do all these things that your grandpa did for all those years.’ And she did. How’s that Emmie?”
“Word perfect - we heard that more than once. She learned about bank accounts and how to manage the small pension she had. She was pretty amazing.” Dez and Emmie both got quiet, remembering their Grandma Eliot. Their eyes sparkled with tears. Not being able to share in those sweet memories, Brigitte was getting a bit uncomfortable, She broke the silence with a question. “So what is our next move?”
Emelina dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Oh, yes. The accountant. I’ll talk with Digby tonight before he leaves and get the contact information from him. I do hope he’s bit less intimidating than Mr. Donohue.”
“Don’t you want us with you when you talk with Digby? If not, I need to get home. I work for a couple of hours tonight for Mr. Jorgensson.”
“No, I’ll speak with him on my own. If the three of us descend on him it may really make him nervous. I hope I can be more sensitive with him this time. Brigitte, what are you up to tonight?”
“Netflix, popcorn and Harold.”
“Harold? Brigitte, what haven’t you told us?”
“Harold is my cat. He’s a Persian Blue. We always watch Netflix together. He has a tuna treat and I have popcorn.”
The three women parted company. Dez walked the six blocks home in the waning afternoon. Brigitte took the bus home. Emelina drove to the Estate and her plans to speak with Digby. After talking it all over with Brigitte and Dez, she felt satisfied.
“Was it you or I who stumbled first? It does not matter. The one of us
who finds the strength to get up first, must help the other.”
~ Vera Nazarian
