Chapter 11 - SANClA CALLS ME A SQUATTER
Sancia stopped claiming she owned the house.
Instead:
I exploited it.
Her lawyer requested full accounting of my rent and benefits.
Fine.
Bank transfers proved:
$900 monthly.
Utilities.
Several repairs.
No hidden ownership.
Then Sancia produced Eleanor’s text from a year earlier:
RADNOR IS HERE SO OFTEN I MAY AS WELL GIVE HIM THE HOUSE.
I stared.
Mother laughed when shown.
“I was complaining because your laundry was in my dryer.”
Context.
Still.
Another:
Maelle already acts like this is hers.
What did Eleanor mean?
“She leaves crayons everywhere.”
Not estate plan.
Family texts are terrible legal documents.
Then Sancia argued:
Eleanor’s favoritism made her reasonably fear undue influence.
Could she petition for protective review?
Yes.
She did.
Independent attorney met Eleanor without me.
Capacity evaluator.
Financial records.
No evidence I pressured estate changes.
Then one uncomfortable fact:
Eleanor had paid Maelle’s private-school tuition for one semester after my work bonus was delayed.
$7,800.
Sancia had not known.
She was furious.
“Juniper got nothing.”
Was it unequal?
Yes.
Why?
Juniper’s school costs were already fully paid by Sancia and Owen.
Maelle’s payment was temporary help.
Still a gift.
Did Eleanor owe equal gift?
No.
But this fed Sancia’s ranking obsession.
Then I told Eleanor:
“Stop paying Maelle’s school.”
She stared.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want money becoming evidence.”
“That sounds like Sancia controlling me through your reaction.”
Damn.
Correct.
Eleanor could give her own money.
I could decide whether to accept.
Different.
We compromised:
No emergency family gifts during litigation without professional fiduciary documentation.
Not because Sancia deserved veto.
Because clarity helped.
Then Sancia called me a squatter at a family gathering? We weren't gathering. In deposition.
“You turned caregiving into residency.”
I answered:
“Mom invited us.”
“Because you made yourself useful.”
Maybe.
Then:
“Do you want the house?”
I thought.
“Yes.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“Meaning?”
“I love the house. If Mom someday chose to leave it to me, I would be happy.”
Good.
No pretending.
Then:
“Would you pressure her?”
“No.”
“Would you leave if she sells?”
“Yes.”
May you like
That mattered.
Sancia looked less prepared for honesty than denial.
