That was it for the disposition of Dana’s assets. It was swift, detailed, efficient, and more than a little overwhelming. The attorney let things sink in while she inserted a DVD into the player at the far end of the room.

“Ms. Fairbanks left a personal message for you. I’ll step outside.”

Stephanie Tate closed the door behind her as Dana’s image burned onto the monitor in front of them. The silk scarf around her head told them she’d been well into her chemotherapy when she recorded the message. Helena and Bette each reached for one of Alice’s hands as Dana began to speak. For a moment all Alice could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat.

“This seemed like such a good idea about fifteen seconds ago,” Dana said, flashing her trademark grin to the camera operator, who prompted her to speak directly to the camera.

“Well, if you’re watching this, then things haven’t gone the way I planned, guys. Believe me, this is Plan B…Plan C, actually. I really want to believe my parents will do as I wish, but I’m afraid they won’t. Don’t be mad at them, okay? They’re just who they are.

Anyway, I’m counting on you to take care of each other. I was thinking that I should say something to each of you, but that’d be kind of embarrassing, wouldn’t it?” She shrugged and then continued. “So the main thing is, I’m asking you to do what I always thought I would do after my playing days are over. It’s kind of ironic now. I never was a fan of irony,” she said in all seriousness. “Anyway, please, just try to give good kids the opportunity to do things with their lives that they’d never do otherwise. All I want you to ask of them in return is to try to do the same when they grow up.”

Dana stared into the camera, considering her next words very carefully. The camera pushed in a little closer.

“If I don’t get a chance to talk to each of you first and I, uh…you know…die…then let me just say that I love each of you and that your support of me, especially now, has been…incredible.” She smiled, shyly this time, and looked back to the operator. “That’s it.”