Because Shannon’s account was still connected, her messages had synchronized with Grandma’s iPad. I opened a private group chat called “Cottage Crew,” shared by Mom, Shannon, Nate, and Colin. The conversation had been running for four months. They had deliberately chosen Labor Day because they knew I would be busy with quarterly client filings. They wanted to sell the cottage before the fall market slowed down. Colin needed $70,000 for a fitness franchise, and Mom believed the property was simply an unnecessary expense. One message from her stood out: “Don’t tell Leah until it’s done. You know how she gets.” Their plans even included a Sunday family meeting and Monday’s appointment with Ron.
I returned home and opened a green binder containing seven years of receipts. The property taxes, insurance, failed septic system, roof repairs, new dock, furnace, plumbing, winterizing, and countless other expenses had all been paid from my own bank account. I had quietly covered everything. The total came to $67,800. Then I remembered what Grandma had told me. Three years before Dad died, he had secretly added my name to the cottage deed as joint owner with right of survivorship. He had told Grandma, “The cottage should belong to somebody who shows up.” My family was preparing to sell a property they didn’t fully own.
THE STORY CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE… 👇👇👇
