Sycamore Row

own children, but at that moment this was not contemplated. Herschel and Ramona performed well, even admirably, as the conversation passed through its first phase. Ian seemed bored with the preliminaries and ready to get down to business.
    “I have an idea,” Herschel said. “There could be other ears listening right now. It’s a lovely day, so let’s move outside to the patio where things are, shall I say, more confidential.”
    “Really, Herschel,” Ramona protested, but Ian was already standing. The group moved en masse through the kitchen and onto the patio where they re-situated around the picnic table. An hour earlier, Lettie, in anticipation, had cracked a bathroom window. She now sat on the edge of the bathtub and could hear better than ever.
    Mr. Lewis McGwyre popped open his heavy briefcase and removeda file. He passed around three copies of a multipage document and began: “Our firm prepared this for your father over a year ago. There’s a lot of boilerplate in there, sorry, but that’s always required.” Ramona, nervous and still red-eyed, said, “I’ll read it later. Please, just tell us what’s in the will.”
    “Very well,” Mr. McGwyre said. “To skin it all down, each of you, Herschel and Ramona, gets 40 percent of the estate. Some of it’s outright, some of it’s tied up in trusts, but the bottom line is that you will inherit 80 percent of Mr. Hubbard’s estate.”
    “And the other 20?” Ian demanded.
    “Fifteen percent goes into trusts for the grandchildren, and 5 percent is an outright gift to the Irish Road Christian Church.”
    “What’s in the estate?” Herschel asked.
    Stillman Rush calmly replied, “The assets are substantial.”

    When Lettie emerged half an hour later with a pot of fresh coffee, the mood had changed in startling ways. Gone was the nervousness, the anticipation, the initial round of gloom and loss, all replaced by a giddiness that only instant and unearned wealth can create. They had just won the lottery; now their only concern was how to collect it. With so much money floating around, the six clammed up immediately when Lettie appeared. Not a word was spoken as she poured the coffee. When the kitchen door closed behind her, all six began chattering away again.
    Lettie was listening and growing more confused by the minute.
    The will on the table named Lewis McGwyre as the executor of the estate, so not only did he prepare the will, but he also bore the principal responsibility for its probate and administration. The third lawyer, Mr. Sam Larkin, had been the principal business adviser to Seth and seemed quick to take credit for his incredible success. Larkin waxed on about one deal after another, regaling his audience with Seth’s fearless exploits when borrowing reckless amounts of money, or so it seemed. Turns out, Seth was smarter than them all. Only Ian tired of this narrative.
    Mr. McGwyre explained that, since they were already in Ford County, they planned to run by the courthouse and file the necessary paperwork to initiate the probate proceedings. A notice to creditors would run in the county newspaper for ninety days and invite claims from anyone Seth might owe. Frankly, Mr. McGwyre said, hedoubted if there were unknown creditors out there. Seth was aware of his impending death. The two had spoken less than a month earlier.
    Stillman Rush said, “All in all, we see this as a fairly routine probate, but it will take time.”
    More fees, thought Ian.
    “In a few months we’ll submit to the court an accounting and inventory of all your father’s assets and liabilities. To do so, we’ll be required to hire a CPA firm, and we know several, to track down the assets. All real estate must be appraised. All personal property listed. It’s a process.”
    “How long?” Ramona asked.
    The three lawyers squirmed in unison, the usual reaction when an effort is made to solicit exact information. Lewis McGwyre, the most senior, shrugged and offered a noncommittal “I’d say twelve to eighteen months.”
    Ian grimaced as he absorbed this and thought of all the loans coming due in the next six months. Herschel frowned while trying not to, while trying to act as though his bank accounts were stuffed and there was no pressure. Ramona shook her head angrily and asked, “Why so long?”
    Mr. McGwyre replied, “Fair question.”
    “Oh thank you.”
    “Twelve months is not really a long time in these matters. A lot of groundwork has to be laid.