Sharing stories with people of a certain age
About Johana, Augusta, Celia, Nell and friends.
It is early morning in Vernoeg. Augusta and Johana are sitting on the stoep with their coffee.
“I heard Hugh died last night. Celia must be distraught,” said Augusta.
“That’s sad,” replied Johana. “She will be alright though. They had that big house and Hugh must have left a widow’s pension.”
“Maybe she won’t get it,” said Augusta. “It may have been settled on Hugh’s first wife during their divorce.”
Johana put down her coffee.
“You mean he was married before?”
“For twelve years. The two boys are from his first marriage. The divorce was difficult. I don’t think it was ever quite settled.”
“But Celia and Hugh were married for twenty-five years.”
“That doesn’t change what’s in the will. Or what isn’t.”
Augusta looked across the street at the house.
“The boys are with her now. Perhaps we could call after four—give her time to lie down and rest. You know how it was when your Pieter died. Waiting for the doctor, the undertaker, making decisions. Thank goodness Hugh died in hospital.”
“Why does that matter?” asked Johana.
“Because if you die at home, and haven’t seen a doctor in a while, an autopsy may be required. It takes time, and the account—around twelve thousand rand—is due before anything can proceed. My friend Hazel died of an aneurysm in her bathroom. Completely without warning. Perfectly healthy, as far as anyone knew. The family was in shock and, within hours, someone was asking for twelve thousand rand.”
Johana was quiet for a moment.
“I didn’t know that.”
“Most people don’t,” said Augusta. “Most people don’t know a lot of things until they need to.”
Next time: Celia feels she must do something.
Booklet: Some thoughts on: Managing Death and Retirement