Page 124 (1/2)

I smiled, closed my eyes and said, "I won't disappoint you, Grandmother"

Epilogue

No one bothered much with me before or

during the funeral and its afterme about-his school year and his achieveood prospect for a football scholarship Alison avoided me constantly, which was just fine withto attend her own

grandmother's funeral Most of the ti

It was really Jake who keptI rode to the funeral in the Rolls with reat-aunt Everyone else was in a hired limousine Great-uncle Richard really didn't know all the details of the will yet and was siland and his oork Great-aunt Leonora played the deeply saddened sister, but she would brighten like a spotlight whenever some old friend approached her and she had an opportunity to describe and brag about her wonderful life in England Very quickly, it all turned into more of a social event and I retreated to my own room to wait for the eventual outcome

Grant paidof the will He came to my room, the maid's room, the day before to make one more attempt at what he called "a reasonable solution"

For any otherand difficult itihter

However, he handled it as if he were just the opposing party's attorney, keeping it formal, correct

"I thought if we could have one sensible conversation, we could avoid anything unpleasant for all concerned," he began

"It's too late," I said uncharitably "I have had nothing but unpleasantness here"

"Which is my point Why continue that? I could," he continued, "convince Victoria to agree to be enerous with the compromise How does half a million dollars sound?"

"Disgusting," I said I turned on hirandht do you have to assus about me? What do you know about my dreams, my sense of responsibility and love toward this woiven me so much? I'et"

He stared at me Despite his purpose, he looked like he appreciated me

"I'ht" "For whom?"