Page 141 of The Me I Left Behind

Pamela walked in with the copies, handed them to him, and then pointed at her watch.

“Yes. The time. I am sorry to leave so quickly.” He rose and gave them copies. “Look these over and I’ll be in touch. We will get started on probate soon.”

She supposed they would.

He stood, reached over the desk, and shook both their hands. “Make an appointment with Pamela for our next meeting.” Then he was gone.

Maggie clutched Max’s will in her hand and stood facing Julia, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Well, that’s done.”

Julia smiled. “Check.”

Twenty-Four

Maggie laid her head back against the taxicab seat and closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure when she’d been so tired.

“Mom. Don’t go to sleep. We should be there soon.”

She kept her eyes closed, half listening. “Wake me up if I doze.” She could almost see Carol rolling her eyes behind her eyelids.

“Mom!”

She shot up and looked at her. “What?”

Carol leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t leave me alone with this taxi driver. I don’t know what to do.”

Maggie didn’t understand. “What? There is nothing to do. He knows where we are going. When he stops, we get out, get our luggage, and then I pay him. Just look out the window. Tell me what Brisbane looks like.”

“Mom. Seriously? It’s dark.”

Oh. Right.“Sorry. Jet lag.”

“It’s five-thirty in the morning and it’s colder here than I thought. I should have brought a jacket.”

“It’s winter. But not like our winter. Warmer. It’s tropical winter, I think.”

“Right, Mom. Whatever.” Carol crossed her arms. “We should have gotten an Uber. I know how to do Uber.”

“Well, I don’t. You can show me next time.”

“Great.”

Maggie settled back into the seat, eyes closed again. Her daughter remained silent for a moment. Not long enough, though.

“Do you think we have enough Australian money?”

“I’m sure we are fine.”

“Do you think the hotel where we are staying is a dump?”

“No. It’s a Marriott, so…. I checked it out thoroughly online.”Please, my head is pounding.Twenty-seven hours since we left home, and I need a strong cup of coffee. Or three.“Besides, it’s within walking distance of your dad’s condo.”

“Do you think we will see a kangaroo or a koala bear? I hope so.”

Maggie smiled. “That would be nice. If we get our tasks done quickly, then I hope we can explore a little.”

Carol paused for a moment. “Do you think we are going to find anything weird at dad’s condo?”