Fifteen Years After My Father Changed the Locks, He Seated Me at Table Twenty-Two

“Falsifying trust documents creates unacceptable legal liability for my commercial accounts, Gerald,” Richard said.

Richard pulled on his second sleeve and buttoned the top button of his coat.

“Richard, we’ve carried twelve commercial policies together for twenty years,” Gerald said.

“My administrative team will send the formal transfer instructions to your office on Monday morning,” Richard said.

He did not look at Margaret or at the other three couples sitting at table one.

He turned and walked straight toward the front coat check, his leather soles clicking against the marble floor of the foyer.

Margaret Ulette adjusted her double-strand pearl necklace with quick, nervous jerks of her thumb.