Beep

"Kathleen, it's mum, call me back when you get this message. You need to let us help you."

Beep

"Hey, it's Olivia, I'm coming over in about an hour. See you soon."

Beep

"Kat, it's Eileen, the lawyer will be there around 2pm. He has all the information Todd left concerning his Will."

When my feet hit the ground, I did the only sensible thing any person grieving should finally do after staying cooped up in their room for three straight nights. I walked across the carpeted floor, grabbed a hold of the drapes, dragged them open and let the light in.

I was a mess. Sweaty, teary and very sore mess. I dared not look at my reflection in the mirror for I knew it was aghast. I stepped into the shower and for the first time in four days, I felt relieved. I felt as if a massive load had been lifted off my shoulders.

When the door bell rang, I knew who to expect. She threw her arms around me and squeezed tight.

"Liv, I'm okay," I said when she finally let go.

"Katie, I'm so sorry I couldn't come sooner!" she said choking on her words. I loved when she called me Katie. It brought back a lot of my childhood memories.

"Did you eat yet?" I asked smiling lightly as I let her in. I knew she had a long flight as she studied Archaeology in Egypt and that was a long way from here. "Blueberry waffles?"

"With coffee?" 

"Always," I replied walking into the kitchen.

The lawyer was on his way so, I ensured that Liv was fed, showered and asleep in under an hour. She needed to rest way more than I did.

"Mrs. Walters...I'm so sorry for your loss," he said when I opened the door.

"Please Martin, it's always Kathleen," I said leading him into the living room where I'd set some coffee and cookies.

"Sorry to jump right into business, but, I need to let you know of Todd's revised Will and Testament," he said sitting across from me on the gray love seat.

"By all means," I replied picking up my cup.

"Apart from burning all his belongings, all his investments are under your name," he said looking up hesitantly.

"But there's a clause..." I finished for him. 

"Yes," Martin said.

That was typical of Todd. He always had to add an obstacle.