Eleanor's Unexpected Decision
Chapter 17 - Eleanor's Unexpected Decision
The sale of the mansion left Eleanor financially secure for the rest of her life.
Everyone expected her to travel.
Buy another large home.
Live comfortably.
She did something else.
Eleanor created the Thomas Whitmore Independence Fund.
The fund provided legal and financial assistance to older adults whose relatives were attempting to control their property or finances.
Daniel volunteered.
Madison designed the outreach program.
Richard donated.
Within the first year, they helped thirty-seven families.
One case involved a seventy-four-year-old widow whose nephew had convinced everyone she had dementia.
The story felt painfully familiar.
After winning the woman's case, Eleanor sat beside her outside the courthouse.
The woman asked, "Why did you help me?"
Eleanor thought about the lawn.
The hose.
The laughter.
The wet papers in her purse.
"Because somebody once tried to make me feel powerless."
The woman held Eleanor's hand.
"And were you?"
Eleanor smiled.
"For about five minutes."
They both laughed.
That evening Eleanor returned home to find Daniel waiting on the porch.
He had a strange expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Then he smiled.
"You're going to be a grandmother."
May you like
Eleanor stood completely still.
Then she screamed so loudly the neighbor's dog started barking.
