Chapter 10 - THE DAY MY FATHER'S COTTAGE WAS SAVED
The investigation uncovered discrepancies in the property transfer documents.
The signature had not been properly authenticated.
The electronic authorization had originated from a device associated with Michael.
Additional records showed that Rachel had participated in communications about the proposed development deal.
The disputed transfer was challenged.
The developer suspended the transaction.
And the cottage remained jointly owned by Rachel and me while the legal issues were addressed.
I drove there alone one Saturday morning.
The lake was quiet.
The dock creaked beneath my feet.
Inside, the house smelled like cedar and old books.
I walked upstairs.
The pale blue ceiling remained.
So did the marks Dad had made on the kitchen doorframe to measure our heights.
Rachel at seven.
Claire at ten.
Rachel at eleven.
Claire at fourteen.
I touched the pencil marks.
Then began crying.
Not because of the money.
Not because of the affair.
Because the cottage had been the last place where my family still felt uncomplicated.
I sat on the floor.
And remembered Dad saying:
You girls don't have to be the same to love each other.
I wondered what he would think of us now.
Then I looked around.
And made a decision.
I would protect the cottage.
May you like
Not to punish Rachel.
But because some things were worth preserving even when the people connected to them had changed.
