Not a Happy Family

Jenna is on her way from the city to Dan’s house. She reflects on her parents’ murders—grisly, yes, but in many ways, they are all better off. Their father sabotaged Dan’s every ambition; mocked Catherine’s yearning to be a mother; and downplayed her own talents as a sculptor. She’s glad their father is dead and certain her siblings feel the same; she is ambivalent about their mother, who was very withdrawn. Jenna is also pleased about the inheritance: “It’s a lot of money, and it’s theirs now” (73).

When she arrives, her brother and sister are already there with her aunt, Audrey, all of them looking anxious. Catherine drops the “little bombshell” (76): Audrey has told her that Fred changed the will shortly before he died.

Audrey explains that a little over a week ago, Fred told her he planned to give her half of his estate, and how the rest, nearly $13 million, would have to be split among his three children. The children are in shock and refuse to believe her; Audrey thinks about how greedy they are.

Catherine rallies her brother and sister. She is the estate’s executor, and she will fight this change, although she worries over how a public fight over the will might look so soon after their parents’ murders.