His wife urged him not to get dragged into a dirty family battle and lose his peace of mind over it. She reminded him that no amount of real estate was worth wrecking his nerves, especially with their vacation coming up. Mike promised he would keep his distance and not let things get personal.
That promise did not last. A few days later he had a major argument with his parents over the couch. Once tempers cooled, his mother changed tactics and agreed to let him take it. In return, she demanded his word that he would come back in a couple of days and sign the papers.
Mike nodded just to end the conversation. His father immediately offered to help load the couch, playing the role of the helpful parent. Mike said he would return in three days, explaining that he needed to take the couch to the cabin and spend a little time with his wife.
He delivered the story convincingly enough that both parents accepted it. Not wanting to waste time, the two men headed to Eleanor’s apartment that same day. The moment Mike stepped inside, he felt how much of her still lingered there.
He had never put much stock in sentimental ideas about a person’s presence remaining after death, but the apartment still felt unmistakably like hers. The old couch stood in its usual place by the window, where Eleanor had loved to sit in the morning sun. Meanwhile, his father had already started eyeing the paintings on the wall.
He said out loud that some of them might bring in decent money. Mike felt a wave of disgust. His father was talking about selling things before the estate had even been settled, as if it were all already his. Not wanting to stay there any longer than necessary, Mike suggested they move the couch into the middle of the room.
Together they managed to shift the heavy piece. Realizing the two of them could not handle the rest alone, his father called a couple of movers. Mike thanked him for arranging the truck, and within three hours the couch was on its way…
