Chapter 25 - The final accounting error
Silver Mesa found one final discrepancy.
Not theft.
A distribution check for $12,400 intended for the charity art-auction proceeds had been coded to Celeste’s beneficiary subaccount months earlier.
Why?
Data-entry error after bronze sculpture recovery.
No money paid out yet.
Celeste’s lawyer immediately notified trustee? Actually Silver Mesa found.
They corrected.
I laughed when Victor told me.
“Imagine if Mom found it first.”
“She would have been correct.”
“That would kill her.”
Victor smiled.
Then final tax reserve released.
My last distribution:
$84,000.
Celeste:
$84,000 less no further surcharge.
Estate/trust closed except record retention.
Victor filed closing report.
No hidden charges.
No other missing assets.
That closure mattered.
Then Celeste’s financial conviction remained.
Could it be expunged later?
Maybe subject law.
Not our story.
No need years.
Then no-contact order nearing end.
Would I extend?
Current behavior:
No threats.
No unwanted visits.
Meetings only with consent.
Probation oversight.
I spoke to victim advocate.
No specific new fear.
I chose not to seek extension beyond expiration.
That did not create friendship.
It removed court-enforced distance because behavior had changed enough.
Then I told Celeste in therapy.
She said:
“Does that mean I can call you?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
I almost laughed.
Then:
“If you want contact, email once. If I don’t answer, don’t repeat.”
“Yes.”
Specific.
Then one week later:
Email.
Would you like coffee next Saturday? No need to reply if not.
I did not reply for three days.
Then:
Thirty minutes. Public place.
She answered:
Okay.
No exclamation point.
Progress.
Then coffee.
She ordered tea.
Of course.
I stared at cup.
She noticed.
“I can get coffee.”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Hot liquid existed in the world before her kick.
It would exist after.
Then we talked about:
Weather.
My work.
Her consulting client.
No estate.
No Grandma.
No ring.
Thirty-two minutes.
I left first.
No hug.
May you like
No promise.
Enough.
