This is the sixth part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you should probably read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V before continuing.
Maddy woke up when her cell phone started ringing. At first, she wasn’t sure where she was, and it took her a moment to get her bearings.
Picking up her phone, she saw her brother’s name and face on the screen and tapped to answer. She opened with, “I’m keeping the couch.”
“What?”
“I thought we’d just sell off all Aunt Alison’s stuff and split the proceeds, but this couch is way too comfortable. I’m keeping it. Also the whiskey collection.”
“Where are you?”
“Aunt Alison’s house in Evanston. I just fell asleep on her couch without any intention of taking a midday nap. It’s just so comfy.”
“And how much whiskey have you had?”
Maddy checked her glass. Fortunately, she had thought to put it on the side table before passing out. “Just a few sips.”
“Anything else you want to claim before I have a chance to look at it?”
Maddy looked around the living room, still trying to blink the sleep from her eyes. “I haven’t finished looking around yet. Do you want me to stop until you have a chance to come over?”
Tolbert sighed heavily. “I don’t know.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I just read the letter she left for me.”
“Oh.” It sounded lame, but it was all Maddy could think to say. She had no idea what her aunt had written to Tolbert, but if it was anything like the letter she had gotten, he was probably reeling. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I don’t know. I don’t even know what to think anymore.”
That sounded like he needed to talk about it, but didn’t know how because he had always been taught to suppress negative emotions. Maddy knew all about that. It had taken her a few years in therapy to undo those bad habits in herself. She kept hinting to Tolbert that therapy might be a good idea for him, too, but he refused to entertain the idea.
After a moment, Tolbert said, “You’re at her house now?”
“Yep.”
“What if I just meet you there?”
“Right now?”
There was a pause as Tolbert likely checked the time and estimated how long it would take him to get to Evanston. “How about in 45 minutes?”
“Sure. I can probably get this couch out of here in 45 minutes.”
“Very funny.”
“You can have the loveseat.”
To be continued…