Chapter 25 - THE CHOICE I DID NOT GET TO MAKE
First Meridian asked whether I wanted to petition to become co-trustee when Blythe turned older.
My first reaction:
Yes.
Then I stopped.
Why?
Because I was her father.
I knew Vivienne.
I cared.
All true.
Also:
I had thrown a gift box in anger.
Spoken to press.
Made public accusations before proof.
I was improving.
Still.
Vivienne chose an independent trustee for a reason.
Not specifically against me perhaps.
But independence itself.
I declined.
Then asked:
“Can Blythe change trustee someday?”
Under trust terms at adulthood, she could request changes subject to standards.
Good.
Her future choice.
Then land sale.
Guardian Elise asked my opinion.
I said:
“Follow fiduciary analysis.”
“That’s not an opinion.”
“Then my emotional opinion is keep every tree because Vivienne walked there.”
“Financial?”
“Sell only if value and long-term club stability justify.”
Good.
Separate emotion from recommendation.
Then Maris asked for first apology visit with Blythe.
Blythe said no.
Simple.
Maris accepted.
Good.
No symmetry with Mother.
Different relationships.
Then Maris’s repayment finished first installment.
Her business improved slowly.
She stopped receiving Mother’s support.
Maybe permanent.
No need montage.
Then Mother returned one final object.
Vivienne’s handwritten recipe book.
Not on estate inventory.
Mother had kept it because Vivienne cooked with her.
Was it stolen?
Maybe personal paper.
She said:
“This should be yours.”
I looked.
“Blythe’s?”
“She can have it someday.”
I accepted.
No litigation.
Then inside, a recipe:
Lemon cake.
Blythe hated lemon.
I laughed.
Vivienne would have too.
Inheritance includes useless things.
Good.
Then club announced:
No immediate name change.
No “Blythe Mercer Club.”
Thank God.
Ownership not branding.
Then members elected new social board.
Mother did not run.
First time in twenty years.
That was her choice.
Maybe consequence.
Maybe relief.
Then she called me.
“Do you think I should resign membership too?”
“No.”
Surprised.
“Why?”
“Because membership is not control.”
She was silent.
Then:
“Vivienne said that?”
May you like
“No. I did.”
Progress.
