Chapter 22 - NOLENE’S DEATH
Nolene died at eighty-six after heart failure.
No mystery.
No hidden poisoning.
No last financial conspiracy.
I attended the funeral.
Liesl did too.
Her choice.
Elliott spoke.
He said:
“She helped my family when we were scared.”
True.
Then:
“She also hurt people trying to stay the person who helped.”
Also true.
Good eulogy.
Nolene’s estate paid:
remaining restitution,
legal obligations,
and civil settlements.
Lawful assets remained.
She left Liesl:
pearl earrings,
a silver photograph frame,
and a letter.
Liesl kept the frame.
Sold the earrings.
Read the letter once.
It said:
You were never a burden. I called you one because I needed to make your needs smaller in my mind.
Then:
Your cousin did not need your oxygen, your fear, or your guilt. He needed adults to solve an adult problem.
Liesl cried.
She kept the letter for years.
May you like
Then placed it in family archive.
No shrine.
