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CHAPTER 1
Crystal Starr
Anya Harris called out, “Crystal. Stop fussing and come sit beside me.”
I wouldn’t call it fussing. I was preparing her medication for the coming week. The doctor once again, had made a change as Anya’s health was declining. But as her personal nurse and caregiver, it was my responsibility to make sure all her needs were taken care of. That included dropping everything and sitting to keep her company.
Closing the pill container, I walked over and sat down in the chair beside her bed. I felt horrible for her. In the past three years that I’d worked for her, no one except her doctor and lawyer had come to visit. Even on those occasions, it was always business. I’d asked her several times if there was anyone that she wanted me to call for her, and she always said no.
After a while, I quit asking, and we fell into a routine of my reading to her. She loved books but didn’t want to listen to an audiobook. She said she couldn’t connect with the charactersthat way. It was a simple request that I found myself looking forward to as well.
“Which book did you want to read tonight?” I asked.
“None. I wanted to talk instead,” she said, weakly.
Anya had had a rough couple of days, but she was strong, a fighter. I had faith she would snap back as she had in the past and regain some of her strength.
“Was there something special you want to talk about, or do you want me to tell you what my nephews have done to my poor sister this time?” I smiled.
“Maybe later. My attorney will be coming shortly for me to sign some documents. He is going to have two people with him to act as witnesses. I thought you should know,” she said.
“Okay. Would you like me to escort them here or would you like me to help you to the living room?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I’m too tired to bother with all that. Here is fine. It won’t take long. He’s prepared everything in advance. This is just a formality.”
“Would you like me to act as a witness as well?” I had done that on several occasions for her. Anya had changed her power of attorney as well as her will several times. I was glad I wasn’t the person in charge of keeping track of all of that legal stuff. Her health was plenty for me.
“Not this time.”
I heard the doorbell. “I will show them to your room and let you have your privacy.”
“No. I want you to stay with us. There are things that you should know. Things that I should’ve told you a long time ago.”
That was odd. Anya did not share much of anything about her life. Heck, I had no information about her past. By her lifestyle, whatever she did, she was successful at it. I gave her a nod and rushed to let the lawyer in.
When I opened the door, Mr. Cain was standing there, his briefcase in hand. “Good evening, Crystal. Ms. Harris is expecting us.”
“Yes. She asked that you all join her in her room.” I held the door wide open as the three of them entered. Mr. Cain knew his way and escorted the two witnesses. I followed behind.
“Hello Anya. I have the forms you requested. Did you want to review them before signing?” he asked as he pulled them out of his briefcase.
“No. I am aware of what they say. Just tell me where to sign,” Anya stated.
He pulled out a pen, flipped the pages, and pointed. “Here.” She signed, and he flipped again. “Here as well.” They continued to do so several times before he turned to the witnesses and instructed them to sign too.
Mr. Cain slipped the documents into his briefcase and said, “I will make sure the courts have them on file first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you. Please sit. I want to talk to you,” Anya said. “Just you and Crystal.”
The witness nodded and I said, “Let me show you where you can wait.”
“No need. We took our own vehicle. We will leave.” He responded in a dry cold tone. It was clear he didn’t want to be in the room any longer than needed.
I showed them to the door and then rushed back to the bedroom to rejoin them. Mr. Cain was seated beside the bed and Anya was crying. I hadn’t been gone that long, so I had no idea what he had said that had caused such a reaction. She normally was so...reserved.
Grabbing a tissue from the box, I handed it to Anya. “Are you okay?” I asked her, while glaring at Mr. Cain.
“I’m fine. It’s...it’s just such a painful thing for me to talk about. No one knows except for Mr. Cain,” she said.
