"Mom, what is this?"
Eleanor answered calmly.
"I wanted you to meet Michael Harrison. He's been helping me with some family matters."
Michael extended his hand.
"Good afternoon, Daniel."
Daniel shook it reluctantly.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Eleanor's attorney."
The words seemed to change the atmosphere.
Daniel glanced at the briefcase.
"Her attorney?"
"Yes."
Vanessa appeared behind him.
"What is going on?"
Daniel stepped aside slightly.
"My mother brought a lawyer."
Vanessa's face tightened.
Eleanor looked at her daughter-in-law.
"Hello, Vanessa."
Vanessa did not return the greeting immediately.
Instead, she looked at Michael.
"Is there some kind of problem?"
Michael remained professional.
"Nothing that cannot be discussed respectfully."
Daniel laughed nervously.
"Well, this is getting ridiculous. Mom, you don't need an attorney to visit your son."
Eleanor looked at him.
"Perhaps I do."
For the first time that afternoon, Daniel had no immediate answer.
CHAPTER 4: THE DOCUMENTS
Michael opened his briefcase and removed a folder.
He did not enter the house until Eleanor gave permission.
Once everyone was seated, he placed the folder on the coffee table.
Daniel remained standing.
Vanessa sat beside him, her expression becoming increasingly suspicious.
Michael began carefully.
"I understand there may have been some confusion regarding the ownership and future arrangements for this property."
Daniel frowned.
"What confusion?"
Michael opened the folder.
"According to the county property records, the legal owner of this house is Eleanor Whitmore."
Silence.
Daniel stared at him.
"That's not possible."
Michael turned a document toward him.
"You can review the deed yourself."
Daniel leaned forward.
He recognized the property address.
He recognized the legal description.
And he recognized his mother's name.
He looked at Eleanor.
"Mom?"
She folded her hands in her lap.
"Your father and I purchased this house before you moved in."
Daniel shook his head.
"You told me this house was ours."
"I told you that we wanted you to have a home."
"That's not the same thing!"
"No, it isn't."
Vanessa stood.
"Wait. Are you saying we don't own this house?"
Michael answered carefully.
"Your family has been living here with Eleanor's permission. The legal ownership has never been transferred."
Vanessa looked at Daniel.
He looked completely stunned.
"Why are we only hearing about this now?"
Eleanor answered before Michael could.
"Because I never wanted the house to become an argument between us."
Daniel began pacing.
"This is unbelievable."
Michael remained calm.
"Your mother has no intention of making a sudden decision without giving you an opportunity to discuss the situation."
Daniel turned toward his mother.
"So what do you want?"
Eleanor looked directly into his eyes.
"I want us to be honest with each other."
"About what?"
"About the way we have been treating one another."
Daniel shook his head.
"You're bringing a lawyer into a family disagreement."
"I brought a lawyer because there are legal documents that need to be explained."
"You're trying to scare us."
"No, Daniel."
Her voice remained soft.
"I'm trying to make sure nobody misunderstands me again."
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"How much is this going to cost us?"
Eleanor looked at her.
"That isn't the first question you should be asking."
Vanessa looked away.
Michael turned to the next page.
"There is a proposed agreement. Eleanor is prepared to offer Daniel and Vanessa the opportunity to purchase the property at a fair valuation, with a reasonable payment arrangement."
Daniel stared at the document.
"And if we don't agree?"
Eleanor answered.
"Then I will make other arrangements."
"What arrangements?"
"I may sell the house."
Vanessa gasped.
"Sell it?"
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes."
Daniel's voice rose.
"You can't just sell our home!"
Eleanor looked at him with an expression that was more sad than angry.