Chapter Three
April 12, 1986
Years after reading The Idiot, which is still after reading dozens of books, my one true favorite, I read that Dostoyevski said that child abuse is evil because it destroys a child’s faith in the goodness of God.
September 1986
I had several conversations with Ruth regarding the trust. During one she offered to buy me John's daughter's old car. I said no.
She accused me of stealing money. I explained what the trust was as my attorney had explained it to me. I told her that my father had agreed to it because of her relationship with Joe Mendoza and the poor medical care my father was getting. I told her to talk to an attorney if she didn't believe what I said about the trust.
She said that she trusted Joe (Mendoza) with all of her money and asked me if I trusted him with all of my money. I said no and asked why I should. Her only answer was that she trusted him and that I should, too.
September 8, 1986
approximately 8:00 am
Ruth calls. She says, “Do you want a 1979 Toyota Celica.” I say, “Oh, you mean Jessica’s old car. No, John told me what’s wrong with it.” She says, “There’s nothing wrong . . ..” I interrupt, “The top, it has a soft top, gets broken into easily. I don’t want it.” She asks, “Are you going to Santa Monica today?” “Yes,” I say, “I work there.” “Would you pick up my bible for me . . .?” “Wait,” I say, “where in Santa Monica?” She says, “Well, not really Santa Monica. It’s at church in Culver City.” “No, I can’t.” I say. “It’s out of my way completely, and I have to see John today after work.”
She says, “Oh, good, then you’re going to get it straightened out.” I say, “Yes. Is Daddy all right? Are you leaving him alone?”
“Yes, he’s asleep,” she says. I disbelieve her because he is almost never asleep at this time of the morning. And if he is then something is wrong. “Why are you doing this,” she asks. “I’m not doing anything except carrying out George’s orders. He wanted to do this; he knew what he was doing. He called me Friday and told me that you were ‘pestering’ him and wouldn’t give him ‘a moment’s peace.’ He asked me then to tell you that he wanted to do this and that it was his idea. I didn’t force him. I explained everything very carefully to him and made absolutely certain that he understood everything.”
She says, “I thought you’d tricked him into something. He told me he never even read any of it.” I say, “He signs papers for you all the time without reading them because he trusted you. It’s not unbelievable that he would trust me. And I told him the complete truth about what he was signing. I told him that all of his assets including his half of all of your joint accounts went into the trust, that the trust was in his name, that I was the trustee, which meant that I execute and protect the trust, and that I was signing the trust, too, because in it I promise to make sure that the funds are used to benefit and take care of him for the rest of his life. I told him that I won’t get anything until after he dies and that the trust is the best way of avoiding inheritance taxes. You know John has done that for Jessica and he thinks it’s a good idea.”
“When did he tell you that,” she says.
“Yesterday. I called him yesterday to set up an appointment for today to talk about the details. I explained basically everything and today he's going to look at all the paperwork involved, as you asked him to do.”
“Yes,” she says. “What are you going to do when you've won half of this house and that house over there. I think that we should make a trade so you get one whole one and I get one whole.” “That’s something I didn’t tell you about,” I say. “Daddy already gave me half of this one and half of that one and his interest in Willowcrest.”
“Oh,” she says angrily. “Well, you know that the property taxes will go up, how will you pay for them. They’ll be about $1,500, you know.”
I say, “I think that I can use the income from Willowcrest to cover that.”
She says, “Well, yes, I guess that it’ll be about that. But then you won’t have any left for your doctor and dental bills.”
“I’m not worried about it,” I say.
She says, “I can’t imagine why Daddy would give you the property now.”
“Oh, can’t you? He wanted to give me all of the property, but then there would have been a lot of gift taxes. So he gave me everything he could up to the limit. That was when we were going to his lawyer.”
“Oh yes,” she says. “There were two involved. The name on the trust was Stewart Cary. Daddy said he never heard of him. He went to Jacoby and Meyers.”
“Yes,” I say. “The Jacoby and Meyers lawyer was his. I went to my own to have everything checked and he suggested the possibility of a trust. The Jacoby and Meyers lawyer never even thought of a trust, and Daddy didn’t know anything about trusts, then, and I only knew very little. But after my attorney explained it to me, I explained it all to Daddy. He may not have wanted to read the turst, but he understood what it was.”
"But why would he tell me he didn’t know anything about your going into our checking account?” she says.
I say, “He knew that I was looking for the accounts for the trust; he signed bank drafts, and I told him what they were. That money is in an account for the trust, and I can’t use any of it for my own benefit, only for his benefit."
“I still can’t understand why he would want to do this,” she says.
I say, “To make sure that I was provided for and that he would be taken care of. No one looking at it objectively would think that strange at all.”
She says, “But you are provided for, honey. My will is clear on that.”
“But you can change your will at any time,” I say.
She says, “But I wouldn’t do that.”
“Daddy was convinced by you that you might. He called me up and told me that you might be moving him out of there so Joe could move in.”
She says, “I’d never do that. I’m already married.”
“Well he thought that you were planning to do that.”
Ruth: I don’t know where he got that idea from.
Me: He said that he got it from you. Then you remember about a month ago I went to see you at church and you admitted the same thing to me.
Ruth: I never planned to do it until after Daddy dies.
Me: And what if Joe leaves you, and you become sick or die? How will Daddy manage, he can’t get to the bank, and you haven’t made it possible for me to have access to his money if something happened to you.
Ruth: Joe won’t leave me. He loves me. I trust him with everything. I trust him with my money. Won’t you trust him with yours. You trust him don’t you?
Me: Why shoud I trust him; I don’t even know him.
Ruth: You know why I need that rent from Paul?
Me: No, why?
Ruth: Because I have to pay the liability insurance on the house in case something happens and he sues me.
Me: Nothing’s going to happen and he wouldn’t sue you. I love him, and he loves me, and we trust each other.
Ruth: Can’t he help you out with some money?
Me: Does Joe help you out?
Ruth: Yes, he does things for me, but he doesn’t have much money. He has to pay alimony, and he went bankrupt a few years ago and has to pay income tax.
Me: Well, Paul does things for me and helps me.
September 22, 1986
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
I spoke with Sam Chean about the trust and taxes.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Backup your work frequently
Something Neal wrote lead me to do exactly what you describe below, so it wasn't tedious at all.
I've likely done this before, and I needed just a few words to point me in the right direction. It's been incredibly frustrating to loose my computer and some months of my life's work.
When I look at computer screens that are different than they were before, I just can't seem to see what is right in front of me. Kind of like when you are looking for something and can't find it, and you ask someone else to look for you, and they find it right in front of you.
--Christina
I've likely done this before, and I needed just a few words to point me in the right direction. It's been incredibly frustrating to loose my computer and some months of my life's work.
When I look at computer screens that are different than they were before, I just can't seem to see what is right in front of me. Kind of like when you are looking for something and can't find it, and you ask someone else to look for you, and they find it right in front of you.
--Christina
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Call It Fiction 2
Chapter Two
March 17, 1998
Mary,
We have come to a final parting because I can no longer help you. My total commitment to and love of God separates the two of us. You cannot understand the tremendous power of prayer that has helped me through all of my difficulties and financial problems. Christina was born in County General Hospital (I had no money) and I almost died there because no one noticed how sick I was. When I finally tried to get out of bed (because it was time to leave the hospital), I collapsed. You can’t believe the attention I received then! For more than a year I was very sick, but I never gave up. The Gas Company didn’t want to hire me because I was so anemic. They turned me down, but I kept praying. The next day I went back anyway, and the same person who had refused me said I was hired but on probation because of my anemia. (All I needed was money for food and iron tablets.) Prayer helped me time and time again. I lived in 1-room apts, gave money for Christina every month, and save $30,000 in less than 8 years. I continued to work and to pray. Always I put God first and always He took care of me. This is why I say I am not your source of help. If God is my help and I help you—then God becomes your source. But as long as you don’t recognize God and send prayers of praise and thanksgiving to Him, then he can’t help you even through me.
I truly wish you well now that you are on your own.
Your Mother.
March 17, 1998
Mary,
We have come to a final parting because I can no longer help you. My total commitment to and love of God separates the two of us. You cannot understand the tremendous power of prayer that has helped me through all of my difficulties and financial problems. Christina was born in County General Hospital (I had no money) and I almost died there because no one noticed how sick I was. When I finally tried to get out of bed (because it was time to leave the hospital), I collapsed. You can’t believe the attention I received then! For more than a year I was very sick, but I never gave up. The Gas Company didn’t want to hire me because I was so anemic. They turned me down, but I kept praying. The next day I went back anyway, and the same person who had refused me said I was hired but on probation because of my anemia. (All I needed was money for food and iron tablets.) Prayer helped me time and time again. I lived in 1-room apts, gave money for Christina every month, and save $30,000 in less than 8 years. I continued to work and to pray. Always I put God first and always He took care of me. This is why I say I am not your source of help. If God is my help and I help you—then God becomes your source. But as long as you don’t recognize God and send prayers of praise and thanksgiving to Him, then he can’t help you even through me.
I truly wish you well now that you are on your own.
Your Mother.
Call It Fiction 1
Chapter One
Unnatural Causes
It was done. Ruth clasped her hands together in her lap. The Lord be with thee. May He also be with thee.
She sat in the courtroom, a beautific smile frozen to her pasty face. She turned to a young woman sitting nearby with a small child sitting in her lap.
“What a precious child you have,” Ruth said. “How old is she?”
The young woman answered moving a bit away form the woman wearing sunglasses.
Ruth said, “I have a daughter, too. She’s going to UCLA.”
The young woman relaxed the tension in her arms and legs. “Oh, how old is your daughter?”
“She’s twenty-two.”
The young woman with the child said, “You must be very proud of her.”
“Yes, yes,” Ruth said automatically and absently. She took a rosary from her purse and began to rub it, looking straight ahead, smiling as she did before, and paying no more attention to the woman with the child.
It was done for the glory of God. Praise Him. The money would go to Him when she died. Maybe some to Carl if he was a good boy. When she got home what would she do? She would be surprised. But, after all, it wasn’t a total surprise. He had been despondent . . .. She would act perfectly natural. If Michael thought he could disobey her, he had another think coming. But she made sure that Carl had taken care of him. She vaguely realized that Kenny, her attorney, had come back to her after speaking to the judge, such a nice looking man who would surely find everything in her favor, but now even that didn’t matter, she had outwitted them all.
“This is only a preliminary hearing, Ruth,” she heard Kenny saying to her. “We’ll have no problem getting a conservatorship.”
“Then I’ll control everything,” Ruth said, as if she didn’t already.
“You’ll control both your and your husband’s estate.”
“Good. I’m so worried about poor Michael. It’s for his own good.”
“Yes, of course it is,” her attorney said.
Carl was standing against the wall waiting for her to come out. He had panic written all over his taught face. It was a good thing that she was going to marry him. She’d make sure he wouldn’t get out of control or let anything slip. Kenny was talking to her, but she tuned him out. She was thinking again of what she had to do when she got home.
When they reached the place near where Carl was standing in the hall, they paused and he continued walking behind them, submissively, without a word.
She heard Kenny droning on. She thought, I’ll be surprised, I’ll call the police, I’ll be sad, I’ll say that Michael had been very depressed lately and often said that life wasn’t worth living—the truth, all the truth. Praise God. Glory be to God
Unnatural Causes
It was done. Ruth clasped her hands together in her lap. The Lord be with thee. May He also be with thee.
She sat in the courtroom, a beautific smile frozen to her pasty face. She turned to a young woman sitting nearby with a small child sitting in her lap.
“What a precious child you have,” Ruth said. “How old is she?”
The young woman answered moving a bit away form the woman wearing sunglasses.
Ruth said, “I have a daughter, too. She’s going to UCLA.”
The young woman relaxed the tension in her arms and legs. “Oh, how old is your daughter?”
“She’s twenty-two.”
The young woman with the child said, “You must be very proud of her.”
“Yes, yes,” Ruth said automatically and absently. She took a rosary from her purse and began to rub it, looking straight ahead, smiling as she did before, and paying no more attention to the woman with the child.
It was done for the glory of God. Praise Him. The money would go to Him when she died. Maybe some to Carl if he was a good boy. When she got home what would she do? She would be surprised. But, after all, it wasn’t a total surprise. He had been despondent . . .. She would act perfectly natural. If Michael thought he could disobey her, he had another think coming. But she made sure that Carl had taken care of him. She vaguely realized that Kenny, her attorney, had come back to her after speaking to the judge, such a nice looking man who would surely find everything in her favor, but now even that didn’t matter, she had outwitted them all.
“This is only a preliminary hearing, Ruth,” she heard Kenny saying to her. “We’ll have no problem getting a conservatorship.”
“Then I’ll control everything,” Ruth said, as if she didn’t already.
“You’ll control both your and your husband’s estate.”
“Good. I’m so worried about poor Michael. It’s for his own good.”
“Yes, of course it is,” her attorney said.
Carl was standing against the wall waiting for her to come out. He had panic written all over his taught face. It was a good thing that she was going to marry him. She’d make sure he wouldn’t get out of control or let anything slip. Kenny was talking to her, but she tuned him out. She was thinking again of what she had to do when she got home.
When they reached the place near where Carl was standing in the hall, they paused and he continued walking behind them, submissively, without a word.
She heard Kenny droning on. She thought, I’ll be surprised, I’ll call the police, I’ll be sad, I’ll say that Michael had been very depressed lately and often said that life wasn’t worth living—the truth, all the truth. Praise God. Glory be to God
Preface to Call It Fiction
None of the characters in the above are meant to represent real people either living or dead. The characters and story are mostly fictional.
Friday, August 24, 2007
The secret; the Gipsy Kings
It helped to sit where very few people were. I did note in the restroom of
the theater that someone had a crying child (a two-year-old) in tow, and I
wondered what they could be thinking to bring a child to such an event. But
I heard nothing once the music started. It's not the kind of music you'd
want a child sleeping on your lap for. You're expected to get up and dance
during the concert.
I'll definitely take earplugs next time. I do have several pairs at home.
Yes, the Secret does work.
Marian
On 8/24/07 4:54 PM, "pitcher" wrote:
> So, then, you would say the secret works?
> I'm glad to hear you had a good time. It sounds like it was very enjoyable.
> If you don't already, make sure you have earplugs with you when you go to a
> concert;)
>
>
>> Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:44:52 -0700
>> To: pitcher
>>
>> The Gipsy Kings concert was great. I was sitting just a few feet from the
>> lead singer. Could see laugh lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, sweat, smiles,
>> disappointment, sweat, anxiety. I was right in front of the speakers, so I
>> feel slammed today. But I was near a group of really good dancers and could
>> see Robert. He was chatting with the man next to him. We now know someone
>> who does kitchen cabinets and bookcases. Robert had a great time. It was
>> well worth it.
>>
>> Security people took their jobs really seriously. Sat in chairs in the
>> aisles in front, so moving about was minimized, as was overdrinking.
>>
>> Marian
>>
>
the theater that someone had a crying child (a two-year-old) in tow, and I
wondered what they could be thinking to bring a child to such an event. But
I heard nothing once the music started. It's not the kind of music you'd
want a child sleeping on your lap for. You're expected to get up and dance
during the concert.
I'll definitely take earplugs next time. I do have several pairs at home.
Yes, the Secret does work.
Marian
On 8/24/07 4:54 PM, "pitcher" wrote:
> So, then, you would say the secret works?
> I'm glad to hear you had a good time. It sounds like it was very enjoyable.
> If you don't already, make sure you have earplugs with you when you go to a
> concert;)
>
>
>> Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:44:52 -0700
>> To: pitcher
>>
>> The Gipsy Kings concert was great. I was sitting just a few feet from the
>> lead singer. Could see laugh lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, sweat, smiles,
>> disappointment, sweat, anxiety. I was right in front of the speakers, so I
>> feel slammed today. But I was near a group of really good dancers and could
>> see Robert. He was chatting with the man next to him. We now know someone
>> who does kitchen cabinets and bookcases. Robert had a great time. It was
>> well worth it.
>>
>> Security people took their jobs really seriously. Sat in chairs in the
>> aisles in front, so moving about was minimized, as was overdrinking.
>>
>> Marian
>>
>
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Landscaping
Christina,
Saturday, the 25th at 10 am it is. See you then-
Susan

From: pitcher
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 1:22 PM
To: Susan Verstegen
Subject: Re: Garden plans appointment
How about Aug. 25 (Sat.) at 10 am?
--Christina

From: Susan Verstegen
Reply-To:
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:04:26 -0700
To:
Subject: Garden plans appointment
Dear Christina,
We’re back from our brief vacation and are reasonably rested now. I got your e-mail regarding the substitution choice so I can now finish up the drawing. Anytime that you’d like to schedule an appointment is fine with me as long as it is after this weekend as we’ll be busy until then. Let me know at your earliest convenience.
Thanks,
Susan
Saturday, the 25th at 10 am it is. See you then-
Susan

From: pitcher
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 1:22 PM
To: Susan Verstegen
Subject: Re: Garden plans appointment
How about Aug. 25 (Sat.) at 10 am?
--Christina

From: Susan Verstegen
Reply-To:
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:04:26 -0700
To:
Subject: Garden plans appointment
Dear Christina,
We’re back from our brief vacation and are reasonably rested now. I got your e-mail regarding the substitution choice so I can now finish up the drawing. Anytime that you’d like to schedule an appointment is fine with me as long as it is after this weekend as we’ll be busy until then. Let me know at your earliest convenience.
Thanks,
Susan
The Holocaust and travels
I’ve never even been to the holocaust museum here. But I grew up learning all about the holocaust. All my schools had at least 50% Jews, so holocaust material was a big part of our curriculum. I’ve also known a hand full of survivors and heard stories from them and their children. And I’ve visited Israel many times (because my sister lives there), so I’ve seen the memorials and museums there, too. I’d like to concentrate on more positive aspects of life. About the past, I’d like to see the environs that inspired the authors whom I’ve long admired. You should definitely plan a trip to Prague. It is an amazing city. When I looked around, for the first time I felt “these are my people; these people look like me more than the people anywhere else I’ve been.”
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