The day had started just like any other, but it would end like no other. It's funny how one instant can change everything in a flash. She's nearly asleep when her blackberry rings, and jolts her into reality. She takes a quick look at the clock, and then answers.
"Hello?"
"I'm sorry to be calling so late. Did I wake you up?" she apologizes.
"Why are you calling me?"
"I didn't know who else to call," she admits.
"Betty why are you calling me?"
"There's been an accident," she sniffles, and wills her tears away long enough to explain.
"What kind of accident?"
"A car accident."
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. It wasn't me."
"I don't understand."
"It was Christina and Stuart."
"Are they ok?"
"Stuart didn't make it and Christina is in critical condition. I'm at the hospital now... waiting on them to let me see her."
"What hospital?"
"St. Vincent's."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"That's not necessary. I just... I didn't know who else to call."
"No. I'm on my way."
It doesn't take her very long to get to the hospital. When she arrives she finds Betty in the waiting room.
"Betty what happened?"
"I don't know," she admits as she wipes away tears.
"Where is Christina?"
"She's in the ICU."
"Why aren't you with her?"
"They won't let me see her."
"I'll take care of it."
"You're not family you can't do anything."
"Betty, I'll take care of it," she promises.
After a couple of minutes she returns to Betty.
"Well?"
She clasps her hands in front of her, and shakes her head.
"They won't let you see her."
"No, Betty," she says in an uncharacteristically soft tone.
"I can't believe you couldn't convince them..."
"Betty...," she stops and takes a deep breath, "Christina didn't make it."
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
Eventually they leave. Neither of them get much sleep that night. Betty is at her desk trying to work on an article for the magazine when a man wearing an expensive suit approaches her.
"Miss Suarez?"
"Yes," she stands up.
"I'm Jack Fulton. I'm Miss McKinney's attorney."
"I see."
"There are a couple things that need to be discussed."
"The funeral?"
"No, it's been taken care of. Miss McKinney had a living will. She wrote you a letter stating her wishes," he hands her an envelope.
She reads it to herself, the attorney waits patiently. She finishes the letter, and looks up at him.
"I understand. I'll take care of it, and call you by the end of business today."
"Thank you Miss Suarez."
The attorney leaves. Betty closes the window on her computer, and steps away from her desk. She makes her way to Wilhelmina's office. She knocks quietly on the open door. Wilhelmina looks up at her.
"What do you need Betty?" she questions sharply.
"I need to talk to you."
"Then you need to come over here where I can hear you," she answers.
Betty walks into the office, stopping in front of Wilhelmina's desk.
"Yes Betty?"
"I just got a visit from Christina's attorney."
"About her will?"
"Yes."
"What is your point?"
"She wrote me a letter."
"Again, where are you going with this?"
"It's about William."
"Is he ok?"
"He's perfectly fine."
"What about him?"
Betty hands Wilhelmina and unopened envelope, "I think that you should read this."
Wilhelmina reads the front of the envelope, and realizes that it's addressed to her.
"What does it say?"
"Just read it," Betty answers, and takes a seat across from her.
Wilhelmina grabs her letter opener, and quickly slices the envelope open. She reads the short, to the point, letter, and then places it on her desk.
"I don't understand," she admits.
"Read it again," Betty insists.
Wilhelmina reads the letter aloud thinking that she's missed something. "Wilhelmina, I hope that you've changed, because I am entrusting you with my greatest treasure. Sincerely, Christina. Am I missing something?"
"I think should read you my letter."
Wilhelmina decides to indulge her, "Ok."
"Betty, you are my most trusted friend. I know that you will make the right decision. If anything shall happen to Stuart, and I, I hope that you will make sure William is well taken care of. And though I never saw eye to eye with her I know how much Wilhelmina cared for William. If anything happens... she should have him. And that's the important part."
"She wants me to take William?"
"And raise him, be there for him."
"You're serious?"
She hands Wilhelmina a card, "This is her attorney's card. Give him a call."
"Where is William now?"
"He's still with his babysitter."
"I see."