Chapter 16 - THE MONEY EVERETT PUTS ON THE TABLE
Everett tried again with money six months after the funeral.
This time he asked first.
“I want to establish something for Milo.”
Claire sighed.
“We’ve discussed this.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because I have learned.”
“That sentence makes me nervous.”
He smiled.
“Fair.”
They met with Rebecca.
Everett brought no Bennett Meridian lawyer.
Only a draft prepared by an independent trust company.
Claire read.
Everett would not serve as adviser.
No power over school choices.
No distribution approval.
No residence conditions.
No naming rights.
An independent trustee would manage funds.
Milo would receive staged access as an adult.
Claire looked up.
“How much?”
Everett hesitated.
“Two million.”
She closed the document.
“No.”
He exhaled.
“Because of the amount?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve known him six months.”
“He’s my grandson.”
“That is biology.”
Everett looked hurt.
Claire continued.
“Relationship is different.”
Rebecca watched.
Everett said:
“What amount would you accept?”
Claire stared.
Then laughed.
“You still think this is negotiation.”
He realized.
“Sorry.”
“Stop asking how much money gets you to yes.”
Everett nodded.
“Then what?”
“Why do you need to give him money now?”
He thought.
“Because I’m old.”
There.
A real answer.
“I’m afraid I’ll die before he knows what I wanted to give him.”
Claire softened.
“That is different.”
Everett continued.
“I lost the chance with Aaron because I thought time belonged to me.”
His voice broke.
“I know money cannot fix it. I know.”
Claire looked at Rebecca.
Rebecca remained neutral.
Everett continued.
“But Margaret left things for Aaron because she thought parents should plan.”
“Yes.”
“I want to plan.”
Claire looked at the trust.
Then said:
“Fifty thousand.”
Everett blinked.
“What?”
“Educational account.”
He almost looked insulted.
“Fifty?”
“Yes.”
“You know I can—”
She raised an eyebrow.
He stopped.
“Right.”
Claire continued.
“You contribute annually within limits we agree on.”
“Okay.”
“You never tell Milo the amount.”
“Okay.”
“You do not use it as proof of love.”
“Yes.”
“If I ever think it is becoming leverage, it stops.”
Everett nodded.
“Deal.”
Rebecca said:
“Not a deal. We’ll draft terms.”
Claire smiled.
Everett laughed.
Progress.
Months earlier, he would have treated two million as generosity.
Now he understood fifty thousand accepted freely meant more than five million imposed.
Afterward he and Claire walked outside.
“Was Aaron this difficult?”
“Worse.”
Everett smiled sadly.
“I miss arguments I never got to have.”
Claire looked at him.
“That may be your punishment.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
Then he asked:
“Do you think he would have let me meet Milo eventually?”
Claire stopped.
“I don’t know.”
Everett looked disappointed.
“I could lie.”
“No.”
“Aaron was changing.”
“How?”
“He wrote that wanting a grandson might be sincere.”
Everett’s eyes filled.
“He wrote that?”
“Yes.”
Claire continued.
“He also wrote that sincerity does not erase danger.”
Everett almost laughed.
“Also Aaron.”
They stood silently.
Then Claire said:
“You don’t need his permission now.”
Everett looked at her.
“You need mine.”
He smiled.
“And Milo’s increasingly.”
“Yes.”
“That is enough.”
For the first time, Claire believed he meant it.
At home Milo had become obsessed with dinosaurs.
Everett took him to the Smithsonian with Claire.
He followed every rule.
No gifts from the museum shop without asking.
No promising private school.
No telling Milo Bennett Meridian could buy the dinosaur skeleton.
At one display Milo asked:
“Grandpa, are you rich?”
Everett looked at Claire.
She shrugged.
Good luck.
“Yes.”
“How rich?”
“Enough.”
“More than Mom?”
Claire laughed.
Everett said:
“Yes.”
Milo considered.
“Can you buy me a T. rex?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the point?”
Claire nearly fell over laughing.
Everett stared at his grandson.
Then laughed too.
It may have been the first time in his life someone reduced his fortune to its correct scale.
Unable to purchase a dinosaur.
May you like
Not omnipotent after all.
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