The will was read two weeks later, at the office of Mom's lawyer, Thomas Reed.

Mr. Reed was about seventy. He'd known Mom and Dad for forty years. He had an old office on Main Street with creaky floors and a view of the harbor.

Lauren arrived first, with a folder. Kyle and Amber came together. I came last, on foot, from my apartment.

Mr. Reed shook my hand and held it for a moment.

“Your mother was very proud of you, Claire,” he said quietly.

Then he sat down behind his big desk and opened a file.

“Thank you all for coming,” he said. “I'll read the will in full. Then there's a letter your mother asked me to read aloud. And one more thing after that.”

Lauren checked her watch.

“Is this going to take long? I have a showing at three.”

Mr. Reed looked at her over his glasses for a long moment.

“I think,” he said, “you may want to cancel it.”