Chapter 21 - Derek’s Estate Plan
Derek never married after Nora.
He dated.
Had long relationship later.
No children.
At seventy, he asked me to be backup executor.
I said no.
He laughed.
“Fair.”
Why no?
Not punishment.
I was same age-ish and didn’t want responsibility.
He chose professional fiduciary.
Good.
His estate included:
House bought with trust distribution.
Retirement.
Savings.
He considered leaving large amount to Eli.
Asked.
I said:
“Ask Eli.”
Eli:
“No.”
Derek:
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want accident inheritance.”
Then:
“If you want leave something because uncle, fine. Not guilt.”
Derek changed:
A modest $25,000 gift to Eli.
Rest to partner, charities, other family.
Eli accepted later.
No cleansing fortune.
Then Derek died at seventy-eight after pancreatic cancer? Could be ordinary. Let's say stroke complications to avoid moral. He had no relation to wrongdoing. He died after a stroke.
Before death, Eli visited.
Derek said:
“You were where I told you to stand.”
Eli went still.
Derek:
“That’s sentence I should have said first day.”
Yes.
Then:
“I spent hours trying to turn it into something else.”
Eli:
“I know.”
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
No more.
Derek died.
Estate closed.
No surprise.
No hidden video.
No late confession.
No claims.
Eli received modest gift.
Used part to take family trip.
Not accident therapy.
Just trip.
Then he said:
“Uncle Derek finally paid for vacation.”
We laughed.
May you like
Not because wrongdoing erased.
Because life moved.
