We didn’t understand how little was left for us until Ofelia’s will was read. She had named Monsignor Miles, the priest of St. James Catholic Church in Vernon, as the executor of her Italian property, a villa in Rome. “She advises the church to sell it,” the lawyer explained, looking at the document. “And to use all proceeds for what’s called the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.”
Sveva and I looked at the man. I’m sure neither of us knew what to say in response.
The lawyer cleared his throat. “The proceeds of the sale of that property as well as the proceeds of any of her investments held in Italy will go to the society.”
“I was under the understanding that there was not much left to her investments,” I said.
“Now that Monsignor Miles is named as the executor, he’s the only o
