Chapter 73
“She wants to deed her property to the two of you as trustees for Robbie, and she will reserve only a life estate for herself.”
“Okay,” I said. “What does she want in return?”
“Only your guarantee that you’ll take care of the real estate taxes and any major repairs on the house.”
“Why not?” I said. “We paid her back taxes last year—they weren’t much—and as best I can recall, the house is in pretty good shape.”
“What brought this on, Ernest?” Mike said.
“She didn’t spell it out to me, but according to your friend Lucinda, Mrs. Pickens has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.”
“How long does she have?” I said.
“A year, maybe a bit more, it’s one of the really slow-growing kind. In a way, I think she’s relieved, given that she’s been suffering from a number of ailments for quite a while.”
“What do we need to do?” I said.
“Nothing. All I needed to hear was your verbal acceptance, and I’m authorized to record the deed she executed.”