Julie sat in one of the chairs in the waiting room for Caleb's attorney. His secretary was making phone calls, and doing various things. Julie had been there for fifteen minutes, but was beginning to wonder if his attorney even knew she was there. Clearly, his secretary had not notified him that she was there. She began to get impatient. Things were running through her head. She knew that they would be able to live without Caleb's money, but they would not be able to have all the amenities or luxuries that they have now.

Finally, Julie went up to the secretary and asked whether he knew she was here or not. The secretary paged the lawyer to inform him that Julie Cooper-Nichol was there to see him regarding her late husband and his estate. He responded, and told her to wait one moment, and he would be right out to meet with her. A couple of minutes later, the attorney appeared from behind closed doors.

"Mrs. Cooper-Nichol? I'm Mr. Nichol's attorney, John Becker. Would you like to step into my office?" He asked Julie. He was an older man, who did not appear to be that much younger than Caleb, himself. She walked into his office and he followed her. Julie sat down in one of the chairs in front of Mr. Becker's desk. He sat down at his desk, and looked at her. "Now I understand that you have some questions about the estate of your late husband, is that correct?"

Julie nodded her head, and replied, "Yes, I was just wondering why it is taking so long for his will to be read."

"Well, Mrs. Cooper-Nichol, as you know, Caleb was a very powerful business man. He stipulated that there be a waiting period with reading his will. For many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons why his will cannot be read right yet is because none of his children are present. I understand that his eldest daughter, Kirsten, is in a substance abuse treatment facility - " the attorney started to explain.

"What does that have to do with anything? Kirsten isn't in the treatment center anymore. She's visiting with friends. Do all of his children have to be here to have the will read?" Julie asked.

"In ten days, when the waiting period is up, yes. All three children and his son-in-law have to be here for the will to be read," Mr. Becker explained.

"All three children?" she asked. Julie knew that this meant Lindsey too, but she was surprised that she had been included in the will.

"Yes, all three daughters. Kirsten Elizabeth Nichol Cohen, Hailey Katherine Nichol, and Lindsey Renee Wheeler-Gardner. None of whom are present at this time anyway," the attorney replied. "And his son-in-law, Sanford Cohen."

"So everyone you just named needs to be present, in order for the will to be read?" Julie asked, once again.

"Yes, that's correct," he said.

"I see... Well, thank you for your time," Julie told him. She stood up and shook his hand. Then she swiftly exited the room. She could not believe that she had to get all three girls in there, so that his will could be read. Granted, Kirsten - especially Kirsten should be there, but she could not understand why Lindsey needed to be there, unless she was receiving some sort of benefit as well.

Author's Note

There will be no updates on this until Sunday night because I am going to Vermont for two nights to look atThe University of Vermont,and to visit Vermont because I have never been there before. That's right, I'm a sheltahed Mainah!