10 Comments

Aimee seems to have realized that being as spiteful as Mary Martha wasn’t going to resolve anything.

I loved your story! The end of each chapter had a great cliff hanger and you were able to get the reader pulled back in with the new chapter. Nice job!

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Thanks so much, Kirsi! It was a fun challenge to take a true story and structure it in such a way as to leave the reader wanting more - and asking questions - and the end of each chapter, without veering from the facts or actual timeline.

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As important as obtaining validation regarding her circumstances of birth, I can imagine that the grind of long-term litigation had to be exhausting. At some point, the satisfaction of having her say in court, to reveal her likely origins, may have been enough and was preferable to continued wear and tear of courtroom haggling. It would be tough to give up that final victory, but I can understand just wanting to get on with life.

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Agreed about the sheer exhaustion and stress of ongoing litigation and all it entails -yikes! Especially knowing - or at least believing - Mary Martha wasn’t going to back down. Bit still, as you said, it would seem to take a lot of strength and maturity to accept something less than a reckoning. It’s a fascinating situation for sure - thanks for your insight.

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I hope you write a book with such amazing stories as this one.

As far as Aimee goes, I admit being surprised that she decided to sign the agreement rather than have final victory over her mother.

She made a better decision in accepting the monetary reward and that could be why she did sign.

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Thanks, Marci! When I was doing the original research, I admit I was surprised, too. And confused. As I’ve gotten to “know” Aimee a bit more, her decision does make more sense. Now Nary Martha and the things she did and does - well, that’s another story lol

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Aimee probably settled because she did not have the wealth or time to continue fighting in the courts. If Mary Martha passed away before things were settled, the case might have been dismissed leaving Aimee with legal fees she probably couldn't pay. I was involved in a legal case once where my lawyer said settle or find someone else to represent you. It wasn't worth his time to continue the fight on a contingency fee.

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That’s definitely a possibility - it was a David v Goliath fight in terms of resources, for sure. I’ve also thought it was the old “bird in the hand” situation - in the settlement she knew ( or at least believed) she would at least get something when Mary Martha passed away. Thanks for the comment!

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Harland Tibbetts is correct spelling. Love his great granddaughter. Lainey TIBBETTS Allen (Tibby)

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Thanks, Tibby! I’d already made the correction - sorry about that!

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