I refused, but only because I couldn’t risk corrupting myself again. At least not until you’re old enough to take care of yourself.”After digest...ng all that I said, “So what are you saying, mom? Are you against it or not?”“I think it should be up to you, sweetie. I don’t think any harm will come to you if you go through with it. Your father will be upset, but I think we can both agree he doesn’t get a say.”I said, “He might not get the final say, but he is my father and ... I owe him for all. She asked about Powers of Attorney, where a person signs over the handling of his affairs to another person, usually in case of illness. You obviously had a will, but this was to cover the eventuality you would not be here while still alive somewhere else."The upshot was that you and Ann signed an agreement that I would be responsible for the company to you alone, Allan. When you were absent I would have power of attorney over your business and financial affairs, obviously coordinating with. ?Reckon we?ll ever do another one in Scotland?? Adeola asks. ?I mean,sure, we ain?t had Lauren in over a year now, but still, you know???Preferably not in winter!? I say, earning giggles from the othergirls. ?Besides, today should be all about celebrating the southerngirl, shouldn?t it???...No,? Kayla mumbles, before shrieking with laughter as we all ambushher with a group hug.?Happy birthday, miss no-longer-a-teenager!? Becca squeaks, earninganother shriek of laughter from the tiny girl.?Stop. Her eyes were red and a little puffy. A tear still trickled down her cheek. I reached across with my napkin and gently dried her eye. She looked up at me directly then.“He’s gone,” she said flatly.“Did he leave a note?” I asked. She pointed at my plate. Under the dome covering my dish of oatmeal was a small envelope with my name on it. I somehow didn’t think it was a get well card. I opened it and read it over.“I don’t know what I was thinking, Dag,” I read. “They’ll hunt me for as long as they.