Against the World

Still glaring down at him, Gram retorted, “Fair isn’t the issue, Mr. Carter. It’s not fair that you are commandeering my home in the first place. It’s even less fair that you’re prepared to pay less than market after assuring me I could expect a generous settlement. Fair isn’t a word I’d toss around lightly, Mr. Carter.”

“Eight thousand, Mrs. Kelly,” he interrupted. “I’ll add eight thousand to the offer in that letter. You’ll get a check for the full amount and there will be no hidden expenses… no realtor’s fee or legal fees or closing costs. The money will be all yours, Mrs. Kelly.” He took a deep breath while Gram continued to stare down at him. He stood. “What do you say? That’s as good as you can expect from your friend, and without the hassle of a sale. Just let me change the amount in the letter and we can both sign it to seal the deal.”

“Please initial the change,” Gram said, “for now. You can leave this signed document with me and bring by a clean copy of our contract for both of us to sign. Contracts with changes and scribbles can become problematic should they be challenged in the future.”