crying. “You poor little thing,” Nancy tells her. “They almost hit you. Are you alright?” The lady looks at Nancy and does a double-take. “Why are you dressed like a French maid?” Nancy says, “Let’s talk about you first. Are you hurt? Do you have any cuts? I am a certified Red Cross volunteer and I know first aid. Can you get up?” “I think so,” the lady says. Nancy helps her rise and steadies her as they take a few steps. “Let’s get you to my car and then I’ll drive you home.” “Okay, honey. You’re an angel.” Nancy says, “Why were you waving at that car?” “Long story.” Nancy says, “I like long stories.” “Let’s get me to your car first, and then I’ll tell you.”
****
Nancy drives to the lady’s house and helps her get out of the car. She tells her, “My name is Nancy. What’s yours?” “I’m Mrs. Wood.” They enter her house and Nancy helps her to the sofa. “I like your house. Very cozy. Would you like something to drink?” “You’ve been so helpful already. Let me catch my breath and I’ll go in and make us some tea to calm my nerves.” “I can make it, if you’d like. That way, you can rest.” “You’re a dear. The teapot and loose tea are on the kitchen countertop. The kettle is on the stove. Let me know if you can’t find anything.” “It’ll be up in a jiffy,” Nancy says. After about 15 minutes, Nancy comes out of the kitchen carrying a large tray that holds a teapot, two china cups, a creamer, a sugar bowl, and two spoons. She’s also managed to find some shortbread cookies. On the upper corner of the tray, she’s put a small doily underneath a silver vase with a fresh red rose in it. “Mercy me,” Mrs. Wood says. “How did you ever manage to find room on the tray for all of those items?” Nancy just laughs as she sets the tray down on the coffee table. “I hope you don’t mind that I did some digging around in your cupboards to find all these?” “Of course not. This is great! I feel like the Queen of Sheba. Especially with you waiting on me in your French maid’s costume.” Nancy tells her that she’s had a French-themed birthday party and is keeping her outfit on all day. “What fun!” Mrs. Wood answers. “That sounds like my kind of party.” “Would you like to tell me about why you were waving at that Mercedes?” “Those two young men are my ex-husband’s stepsons. My former husband passed away about a month ago, and his stepsons have been coming over and taking things from my house that they think belong to them. They are being insufferable. Today, they came and told me that they wanted my car because my ex-husband’s name is on the pink slip. I helped my husband pay for the car with money I’d made as a receptionist. It’s so unfair! Today, they had a friend drop them off at my house and stole my car. Those kids have a lot of money. There’s no reason for them to take away my car. They’re just being mean.” Nancy says, “I’ve heard that things can get ugly when wills are contested and families feel entitled to get what they think is their ‘fair share’.” “My ex-husband married a very wealthy woman. Rumor had it that her father was part of a Mafia gang in Chicago during Prohibition. Her father left her a lot of money. Those sons of hers have managed to squander their inheritance from their grandfather by spending it all on drugs and gambling. That’s why they’re coming here and picking on me.” “I’m so sorry to hear this. That’s terrible of them. Makes you wonder how those kind of people sleep at night.” “The worst part of it is that my ex-husband had always told me that he’d be leaving me something in his will to make sure that I’m well taken care of when he passed away.” “Have you seen the will?” “Those stepsons showed it to me. I just don’t believe them. I think there’s another will. I just feel it in my bones.” “Is