Page 29 - Unlikely Stories 4

Not in his Right Mind

“Thank you for choosing Wein, Glass and Kaddish LLC as your
legal partner,” said Beryl Wein, finding chairs around her desk for a
clearly anxious trio. “As practitioners of family law, I’m certain we
can find a solution to your difficulties.”
Her practiced eye quickly identified familiar luminaries in this new
constellation. A mother, pushing sixty, her face imperfectly
suppressing confusion, fear and anger. Her adult son, wound up with
indignation and opinions, ready to impose his will on the meeting.
And, by her resemblance to the other two, a slightly younger
daughter, anguished but self-conscious and curious.
“I am Sarah Narishke,” began the woman quickly. “These are my
children, Aaron and Rose. We don’t want to commit to any sort of
agreement with you unless you are certain you can help.”
“Of course,” reassured Beryl. “And if there happens to be a
settlement involved, we offer our services contingent upon that
outcome. Otherwise, after this complimentary consultation, we will
be happy to advise you at our standard discounted rates. I believe the
receptionist gave you a schedule of our fees.”
“Yes, yes.” Aaron Narishke could not restrain his impatience. “We
know we’re on the clock, Counselor. I think I can present the
situation clearly. We know what happened, more or less. What we
don’t know is what we can do about it.”
His mother bit her lip; his sister grimaced; his prospective attorney
smiled encouragingly, pencil poised above a legal pad.
“My father, Morris Narishke, was a successful businessman—until
he developed early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. I will not detail the
process we went through to obtain a diagnosis. Suffice it to say that
six months ago we received a prognosis that was very disturbing: his
condition had deteriorated to the point that he probably would lose
his mental and bodily functions sufficiently to warrant hospice care.”
Mother and daughter reached into their purses in search of facial
tissue. Beryl’s mind leapt ahead to documents requiring a signature
that could no longer be obtained.

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