Chapter 25
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Mack shot her a surprised look, and Doreen just shrugged.
At that, Birdie eyed her and nodded, her breathing coming in huffs now.
Doreen smiled at her. “Obviously I can’t do a whole lot medically for you, Birdie. Yet, if there is something I can do, I’m willing to give you a hand.”
“Again, we’re back … to you … being too nice for … your own good.”
“Yes,” Mack agreed, “she often is.”
Birdie laughed, then coughed. “You’ll have your hands … full with this one,” she murmured.
“I know that,” he admitted, “but that’s part of relationships.”
“Yeah, the part … I never got,” she muttered. “Most … of mine … didn’t fly for very long.”
Doreen didn’t know what to say to that, but she could see the fatigue wearing down the old woman. “Look, Birdie. You figure out if you want me to help you with something,” she repeated, “and we’ll leave you to rest for now.”
“I do need to rest,” Birdie agreed quietly. “Yet let’s be real here. … I’m not even sure I’ll … wake up in the morning.”
“That’s why I need to know who did this to you,” Mack said.
She opened her gaze wider and replied, “I told you. Cisco.”
“Yeah, you gave me a nickname. I need a full name.”
“Right,” she muttered and then stared at him. “I don’t think … I ever knew his full name. Just Cisco. … He’s different. … Be careful.”
“Got it,” Mack replied. “Do you know other names, like other people who work with him?”
“Yes,” she frowned. “David Allen and … Brook. I think that’s his last name.”
Mack was busy writing down notes and then looked over at her and asked, “Anyone else?”
“I don’t think so,” she whispered, and then she sighed and whispered, “I really need to go now.”
“You need to go?” Doreen asked, leaning closer to her.
Birdie nodded. “Yeah, time for me to go.”
Mack frowned at her in alarm and asked, “Can you hang on a little bit longer?”
She shook her head, then turned to Doreen, just as the doctor came in.
The doctor declared, “She needs to rest now.”
Birdie gave a heavy sigh and stated, “No, my resting time is done. … I’m done,” she murmured. She looked at the doctor, then at Mack, and announced, “You’re both my witnesses.”
“And what is that witness to?” the doctor asked, as he stepped forward, immediately taking her vital signs.
She declared, “I’m dying. … You two need to stand up for me … and my deathbed requests.”
“Meaning what?” Mack asked.
“I want to … make changes to my will—right now.”
The doctor sighed, as he shook his head, looking from Doreen to Mack, and then back to Birdie. “That’s pretty unorthodox.”
Mack pulled out a pen and a paper. “Okay, we are your witnesses,” he stated. “Is this because of the death of your grandson, Devon?”
“Yes,” she muttered, her eyes closing. “Make sure Duke and Derrick, … my former son-in-law and no-good stepgrandson, … don’t get my money, my estate. … They are not blood relations.”
“Okay, and what else?” Mack asked, staring at her intently.
She opened her eyes, smiled over at Doreen, and stated, “Everything goes to her.”
“Who?” Mack asked.
“Doreen. Everything goes to Doreen.”
Both the doctor and Doreen gasped. Mack sighed. “Are you sure you want to do that? It’s likely to be contested in court.”
“Not if you both witness my bequest right now,” she said, hyperventilating. “Hurry up. … Date and sign it.”
With her barking orders, almost in her very last breath, Mack and the doctor dated and signed the written transcript of her verbal changes to make this her new will, aware that she was far too weak to sign it herself.
Doreen added, “You don’t have to do that, Birdie.”
“Yes, I do.” She opened her eyes. “You’re too nice for your own good.”
Doreen stared at her, bewildered. “In that case, why would you give me all that money or whatever it is that you’re leaving me?”
Birdie closed her eyes and whispered, “Because of the blackmail material,” she began.
“I know you’ll dispose of it. … And the house?
” Birdie gulped in air, having a hard time speaking.
“Find somebody who needs some help, will you? … Donate some of it. … If you need any, … you keep it. … If not, … give it away.”
“Are you certain this is what you want?” Doreen asked her.
“Yes. Find people in need—and give it away.” Tears in her eyes, she stared at Doreen. “I should have … given money … to Devon. … Done more giving, … when I was alive. … Don’t make that mistake.” She looked directly at Doreen and said, “Promise me.”
Doreen nodded. “Yes, of course. I promise.”
Birdie asked Doreen, “You’re okay to do that?”
“I’m definitely okay to do that,” Doreen agreed, reaching for Birdie’s hand. “I’m already setting up a charity to do just that with my money.”
“Good,” Birdie whispered, with a bright smile. “Add mine to the pot. … Just make sure they are deserving. … Make sure they are good people, … and you give them … a leg up.” She tried to shake her head. “Definitely not any gamblers.”
“Will do,” Doreen whispered.
Birdie’s gaze encompassed Mack, almost as if in warning. Then she turned to the doc and asked, “You heard all that, right?”
“Yes, but, Birdie, you may wake up in the morning just fine.”
She stared at him for a long moment. “That’s a crock. … I’m gone now.”
And, with that, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and passed away right in front of them.