Chapter 18
He opened a locked filing cabinet and began removing folders.
“This could take hours,” Grace said.
“No.”
Arthur kept searching.
“Eleanor was meticulous. If she established something privately, there will be a record.”
Mrs. Alvarez sighed.
“Or you could call Mr. Bell.”
Arthur stopped.
Everyone looked at her.
“Who’s Mr. Bell?” I asked.
“Mr. Whitmore’s attorney.”
Arthur looked annoyed.
“Why did I not think of that?”
“Because,” Mrs. Alvarez said, “you enjoy opening drawers.”
Helen laughed.
Arthur made the call.
His attorney, Samuel Bell, was eighty-two and apparently believed Saturday afternoons were for naps.
He was not pleased.
Until Arthur mentioned Eleanor.
Then his voice changed.
Arthur listened.
“What trust?”
Grace went still.
Arthur looked at us.
“Yes. Grace Foster.”
Another pause.
“You’re certain?”
He sat.
“When?”
He listened for nearly a minute.
Then he closed his eyes.
“I see.”
When he ended the call, nobody asked immediately.
Arthur needed a moment.
Finally, he said, “Eleanor created a small educational trust six years ago.”
“For Grace?” I asked.
“Yes.”
Grace shook her head.
“That makes no sense.”
“It was funded personally. Bell prepared the paperwork. Eleanor instructed him not to contact you unless she gave further authorization.”
“But she died,” Grace said.
“Seven months later.”
“And the trust?”
“Remained invested.”
Arthur looked at her.
“It still exists.”
Grace seemed almost uncomfortable.
“How much?”
Arthur hesitated.
“That isn’t important at this moment.”
“It’s important to me.”
He told her.
Grace sat down.
It was enough to pay tuition at a local nursing program.
Not enough to transform our lives.
Not millions.
Not a hidden fortune.
Just enough to reopen a door Grace thought had closed years ago.
That made it feel more real.
Arthur quickly added, “The money legally belongs to the trust for your education. This is not a gift from me.”
Grace stared at the floor.
“I know.”
“You can accept it without accepting anything from me.”
“I know.”
“You don’t owe me gratitude.”
Grace looked up.
“Arthur.”
He stopped.
“I know.”
It was the first time she had called him Arthur.
He noticed.
So did everyone else.
Nothing changed overnight.
May you like
That was important.
Grace did not enroll in nursing school Monday morning.
