The lender's letter arrived on Thursday.
It was delivered in a plain white envelope.
I recognized the return address.
I carried it into the study and placed it beside Frank's old watch.
Then I made coffee.
I didn't want to read it while standing in the hallway.
I wanted to sit down.
The letter confirmed the mortgage remained active.
It also confirmed that the lender had received notice of the proposed sale.
They requested that any further communication about the property be handled through their legal department and my solicitor.
Nothing unexpected.
But there was another page.
A formal statement identifying the lender's legal interest.
I read it twice.
Then I called Margaret.
She asked me to send her a copy.
I did.
A little later, she called back.
"Everything appears consistent with what you told me."
I felt my shoulders relax.
"Good."
"There's something else I'd like to discuss."
I waited.
"Would you be willing to arrange a meeting with the lender's representative?"
I agreed.
Margaret explained that a meeting would help clarify the next steps and ensure the realtor received the correct information.
I asked whether Paul and Denise should attend.
She said that would depend on the purpose of the meeting and what I was comfortable sharing.
I thought about it.
Then I decided they should receive an invitation.
Not because they had earned one.
Because they had involved themselves in the transaction.
They needed to understand the legal position.
I called Paul.
He answered immediately.
"What's happened now?"
I told him about the letter.
He asked whether the lender had agreed to anything.
I explained that the letter confirmed the existing mortgage.
He sighed.
"Mom, we know about the mortgage."
"No, Paul. You know it exists. You haven't understood who holds it."
He went quiet.
I told him there would be a meeting.
He agreed to attend.
Denise called me later.
She asked whether the meeting was really necessary.
I told her it was.
"Will the lender explain how much is owed?"
"They can explain the relevant details."
"And will they discuss the sale?"
"If appropriate."
She paused.
Then she asked whether I would consider moving to Meadowbrook if the property could be sold.
I looked at the telephone.
"Denise, we're discussing a legal mortgage. Not your preferred retirement arrangements."
She ended the conversation shortly afterward.
The meeting was arranged for the following Tuesday.
Margaret attended with me.
Paul and Denise came together.
The lender's representative arrived carrying a leather folder.
His name was David.
He introduced himself politely.
He confirmed that he represented the organization holding the mortgage.
Paul looked at the folder.
Then at me.
"Can we get straight to the point?"
David nodded.
He explained that the mortgage had been established in 2022.
He confirmed that the property was security for the loan.
He also explained that any sale would have to be handled in accordance with the mortgage agreement and the lender's legal requirements.
Paul asked whether the mortgage could simply be paid from the proceeds.
David said that the lender could discuss the relevant figures and conditions, but the proposed transaction still had to be legally authorized.
Margaret added that the authority used by Paul and Denise was being reviewed.
Denise looked irritated.
"So nobody can do anything?"
David answered calmly.
"Not without the appropriate legal authority and documentation."
Then he placed another document on the table.
It contained the lender's full legal name.
Paul read it.
His expression changed.
He looked at me.
Then at David.
"Wait. You're saying this organization actually owns the note?"
David nodded.
"The mortgage is held by the organization named in the agreement."
Denise leaned forward.
She read the name again.
Then she looked at me.
"Mom, why didn't you tell us?"
I folded my hands.
"Because you never asked me about the arrangement before you tried to sell the house."
David continued explaining the lender's position.
I listened.
I didn't interrupt.
But I watched my children.
They had arrived believing this was a simple family disagreement.
They were beginning to understand that it was not.
Click here to continue reading: PART 15: My Children Had Expected a Bank Representative, but the Person Across the Table Knew More About Our Family Than They Did
I Thought My Children Were Worried About Me, Until I Came Home and Found Strangers Inside My House
Part 14 of 24
