“He was clear about his intentions,” he said.

“We have medical and financial records from the same period, and professionals who met with him separately.

We’ll present the material as appropriate.”

I sat quietly.

Something about hearing Arthur say he could bear the thought of me selling the house was a relief.

He had not left me a sacred building I had to preserve unchanged.

He had left us choices.

When I told Elise, she said, “Then maybe we should make the choice based on what the house can actually support.”