Chapter 52

“It’s a manufactured home, actually,” she said. “Just two bedrooms and one bath, but it’s new and it’s nice.”

“How’d you manage that?”

“Your mother had a little life insurance policy with us as beneficiaries. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for the house and a few clothes. We didn’t want her to spend money on insurance, but she insisted. We were doing things for her and helping her, and her wanted to reward us.”

“You make it sound like she was already sick when she took out the policy,” Chris said. And I sure as hell wonder what you were doing for her, but I’m damned if I’m going to ask

“I think she already suspected something was wrong, but she hadn’t been to a doctor yet, so there was no record of a preexisting condition.”

“Good for you, then,” he said. “That sounds like a huge improvement over your old place.”

“Yes, it is. Are you sure you don’t want to come visit us, Ted?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t like Grandpa.”