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Monmon Odette and the attorney. Aunt Leah came in with her oldest daughter Azalei. Aunt Leah’s timid husband eased into the room as though determined to go unnoticed. Azalei walked over to LaShaun.
    “Hello, cousin. Nice to see you again.” Azalei didn’t wait for a reply. She spun around and went to Monmon Odette. “Hello, dear grandmother. I’m so happy to see you doing better.”
    “Are you? Means you and your mama will have to wait a bit longer to inherit.” Monmon Odette pursed her lips.
    “We’re more than willing to wait,” Aunt Leah blurted out.  
    “How kind of you to be patient,” Monmon Odette replied placidly. She looked up at her daughter. “I’ll try not to test that patience much longer.”
    “I didn’t mean we’re sitting like vultures waiting for you to…” Aunt Leah blinked rapidly as Monmon Odette’s lips curved up in a smile. “Of course you know that’s not true.”
    “Hmm.” Monmon Odette accepted a cup of coffee from Rita. “Thank you, dear. So Mr. Martin, shall we get started?” Conversation died away.
    “Ah, right. I have the will you created. However your granddaughter has some changes.” Martin cleared his throat.  
    LaShaun shrugged when everyone looked at her. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
    “When Monmon got so sick I took over. Her memory and judgment were affected by illness of course. So she gave me power of attorney for her business affairs and her medical needs,” Rita said.
    “Say what?” Aunt Leah blinked hard and fast as.
    LaShaun gazed around at the faces. She could tell this was a news flash to all, and not a welcome one either. Monmon Odette seemed unfazed. LaShaun wondered if her grandmother even remembered signing those legal documents. Rita turned to Monmon Odette.
    “You gave me power of attorney freely, isn’t that right?” Rita spoke slowly as though she was being tolerant of her grandmother’s mental shortcomings.
    “Did I? I seem to recall something about that,” Monmon Odette replied.  
    Rita looked at LaShaun first, then at the rest of her relatives. “Monmon Odette has good days, and bad days. In her best interest, I’ve taken control. Her assets have been placed in a trust, and I’m the sole trustee.”
    “What the hell?” Uncle Theo looked at his sister Leah. “Did you know about this?”
    “No, I didn’t.” Aunt Leah stood up and looked down at Rita. “Don’t think for one damn minute that I won’t challenge this slick move.”
    “Me, too,” Uncle Albert said. “I’ve got my lawyer on speed dial, girl.”
    “Yes, we all know how much you like to sue other folks, Uncle Albert,” Rita said. She stood to face her aunt. “
      “Well, you pulled off a slick move,” Aunt Leah hissed.
    Azalei stepped between them. “Let’s not fight, mama. Rita is going to be fair to us all I’m sure.”  
    “Huh?” Aunt Leah looked at her daughter in shock.
    “Trust me,” Azalei said quietly. “Rita and I discussed these arrangements. We’ll get a loan to help our business, and the rest of the assets will be managed wisely. Mr. Martin drew up the trust with protections.” She raised an eyebrow as some sort of signal to her mother.  
    Aunt Leah calmed down, but only a little. She shot a warning look at Rita. “We’ll see.”
    “See hell.” Uncle Theo pointed at Martin. “I’d like to take a look at those papers. You, hand ‘em over.”
    “Uncle Theo, Monmon Odette’s lawyer has done a very good job making all of the necessary legal arrangements. We’ll be happy to discuss the details. That’s why I called this meeting.” Rita crossed her arms.
    “You called this meeting?” LaShaun glanced at her grandmother. “Monmon Odette.”
    “Rita suggested a family meeting to have my lawyer explain the particulars of how I want my estate passed on.” Monmon Odette wore a smile. Her dark Creole eyes twinkled.
    “Which is exactly what Mr. Martin did.   Monmon’s lawyer has everything nice and