My wife died suddenly, leaving me with four children—after the funeral, my mother-in-law gave me a sealed box that revealed a message my wife left behind for me.

trustee, claiming it was for tax reasons.

The current balances at the bottom of each statement made my stomach turn.

I read it twice.

Julie’s account: four hundred and twelve dollars.

Joyce’s: three hundred and sixty.

Joan’s: under three hundred.

Jeremy’s: empty.

Every account had been drained over the past six years through small withdrawals.

The withdrawals continue reading …