Chapter 4 - The Farewell Request
My recovery was actually progressing brilliantly. The physical therapy was tough, but my hip was healing faster than expected. Of course, Harper didn't know this. She only visited for five minutes at a time, just long enough to make sure I was still breathing and still "confused."
Two weeks before she planned to ship me off to a dismal nursing home, I called her.
"Harper," I said, making my voice sound weak and reedy over the phone. "The doctors say I'm leaving soon. I want to have a retirement party."
"A what?" she scoffed. "Aunt Evelyn, you can't have a party. You're in a rehab clinic."
"Not here," I insisted. "At the condo. I want to invite my old colleagues. I want to say goodbye to my home before I go to the... the new place. Please, Harper. It's my last wish before I lose my memory completely."
Harper sighed heavily, clearly annoyed. But then, the gears in her head turned. A farewell party at the condo would be the perfect cover. She could parade me in front of my wealthy friends, play the tragic, loving caretaker, and secure her social standing before she threw me to the wolves.
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"Okay, Auntie," she said sweetly. "I'll organize it. It'll be a beautiful send-off."
She had no idea what kind of send-off she was actually organizing.
