Chapter 5 - SABINE’S VERSION
Sabine met with me only through lawyers.
No Ione.
No Miles.
Good.
Her first statement:
“Mom told me you were moving.”
“Considering.”
“She said Cedar Vale was decided.”
“It wasn’t.”
“She said Ione was staying.”
“I never said that.”
Sabine looked uncomfortable.
“I know that now.”
“Did you know about guardianship?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“She said you were signing temporary papers because the move would be complicated.”
“Did you see my signature?”
“After.”
“Did you think it was mine?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask me?”
“No.”
There.
Then:
“Why were you pricing Ione’s belongings?”
Sabine looked down.
“Mom said most of it would not fit where Ione was going.”
“Where?”
“Her condo.”
Mother owned a two-bedroom condominium fifteen minutes away.
She rarely used it.
Inherited from my grandmother.
The plan, according to Sabine:
Mother and Ione would move into the condo temporarily.
Sabine and Miles would stay in my house while I transitioned to Cedar Vale.
My house.
Without my permission.
“For how long?”
“Mom said until you decided whether to sell.”
“I wasn’t selling.”
“She said you would.”
I laughed once.
Not funny.
“What did you think I was doing in Cedar Vale?”
“Starting over.”
“With my daughter left behind?”
Sabine said nothing.
Then:
“Why take Ione’s bedroom?”
“Miles needed a room.”
“This is my house.”
“I know.”
“Did you know then?”
“Yes.”
There.
Entitlement.
Then:
“I was desperate.”
Her separation had gone badly.
Her apartment lease ended.
She had Miles most weekdays.
Mother told her she could stay at my house during my transition.
Sabine should have asked me.
She didn’t.
Why?
Because Mother said I had already agreed.
Again.
Then the belongings.
Sabine admitted she placed price tags.
Mother told her sale proceeds would go into a “room transition fund” for Ione at the condo.
Had any items sold?
Bed.
Lamp.
Two toy bins.
Some clothes?
One bag at a yard sale.
Money held by Mother.
About four hundred dollars.
Not a giant theft scheme.
Just ugly.
Then I asked:
“Did Miles want Ione’s room?”
Sabine’s face tightened.
“No.”
“Did he know?”
“He thought you invited us.”
Good.
Miles innocent.
Then Sabine said:
“He cried when Mom told him Ione was going to live somewhere else.”
That surprised me.
“He likes her.”
I knew.
They fought like cousins.
Loved each other too.
Then:
“Why did you say she’d need less stuff where she was going?”
Sabine looked ashamed.
“Because I was angry you walked in like we were thieves.”
“You were selling my daughter’s things.”
“Yes.”
No excuse.
Then:
“Did you forge my signature?”
“No.”
“Do you know who did?”
She looked at Mother’s lawyer across the room.
Then answered:
“No.”
I believed she knew less than Mother.
Not nothing.
May you like
Less.
The case would have to distinguish those degrees.
