Someone had copied Grandpa’s signature from the earlier document.
Elaine requested a recess.
When everyone returned, my parents were no longer sitting beside each other.
Dad stared down at the table.
Mom stared directly at me.
Then Elaine announced that her clients wanted to withdraw their petition challenging the estate.
Rebecca immediately stood.
“We do not consent to dismissal without resolving the estate’s counterclaims.”
Dad finally looked up.
That was when he realized walking away from the lawsuit wouldn’t make the evidence disappear.
The estate now wanted repayment of the Florida loan.
The unauthorized transfers.
Interest.
Potential legal fees.
And a declaration that the supposed loan-forgiveness document was invalid.
The judge scheduled those claims for trial.
Outside the courtroom, Dad approached me alone.
“Claire, this has gone far enough.”
I nearly laughed.
“You filed the lawsuit.”
“We were upset.”
