Page 144 of The Me I Left Behind

“Good idea. We can work on that tonight.” Carol’s face grew puzzled. If we can get into it. Password.”

“Oh, yeah. Well, the sooner we are done with this, the sooner we can figure that out, and then we can play for a couple of days.” Maggie opened the door and sat the bags partially in the hallway, propping the door open. Carol followed with the third bag and set it there, too.

“We’ll take those down the hall in a few minutes. Let’s check out those papers and files on the counter.

She stood and caught Carol’s eye. “Mom?”

“Uh-huh?”

“Someone is here.”

Maggie rotated back toward the door and saw a woman standing on the other side of the bags, looking in. She looked young, polished, and professional, dressed in a stylish black suit with a lavender low-cut blouse. She stood tall—taller than herself, Maggie imagined—and had long inky-black hair.

“Hi. May we help you?” Maggie said.

“Good day… Do you mind if I step in?” Her words were hesitant, as were her mannerisms.

“Of course not.” Maggie rushed forward. “Let me move a bag. We were just doing some cleaning.”

The woman took a few steps inside the door. “I noticed the door open. I’m… I’m the leasing agent for this unit.”

Carol piped up. “Leasing agent?”

“I brokered the deal between the person who leased this condo and the corporation that owns the building. I just realized….”

“Yeah, he’s dead,” Carol said.

The woman blinked. Twice. And stood still, as if she didn’t know how to respond.

Maggie stepped forward. “Yes, my husband leased this condo, so I suppose you knew him. Max Oliver? He is deceased now, so we are working with the condo manager to get everything tidied up so we can negotiate closing out the contract.”

“Husband.”

“Yes.”

“I see.” She gave a nod. “I can help with that. The lease, I mean. It’s what I do.”

“That would be wonderful,” Maggie said. “Thank you so much.”

“No problem.” She reached into her bag, pulled out a business card, hesitated momentarily, and then handed it to her. “Call me when you are ready to talk.”

“I will. Thanks again.”

The leasing agent turned and left. Maggie glanced down at the card.

Lilly Colling, Real Estate and Corporate Leasing

“Lilly?”Fuck.

“Mom. What?”

“It’s her.”

Maggie sprinted out the door and spotted her down the hall, at the elevator. “Lilly. Wait. Please?”

Lilly turned and faced Maggie as she approached. As she grew closer, Maggie saw the tears in her eyes.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry,” she whispered.

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