Once Found: The Pocket Watch Chronicles by Ceci Giltenan Page A

young. My aunt cared for me, but…”
    “It wasn’t like a parent.”
    “No, it wasn’t. When I learned Elizabeth’s parents were rushing to her side, I had rather hoped to feel a part of a family.”
    “And ye may still. Don’t give up hope. Ye just never know.”
    Elsie smiled and nodded, unable to completely shake the sadness left by disappointment.
    “Well, ye’re perfectly competent, and ye need to stay here in New York. I suspect that isn’t what yer da wants to hear, but so be it. We must make way for the course of true love.” He winked and chuckled.
    When Elsie and Dr. Rose had finished chatting, he went to fetch Gabe and David from a nearby lounge.
    David called her parents. When they arrived, Elizabeth’s father was as impatient as ever. “Now with the formalities done, can we take our daughter home?”
    “Dr. Quinn, let’s not be so hasty. Ye asked me to determine yer daughter’s competence to make her own decisions.”
    “She has no memories. It seems open and shut to me.”
    “Well, it isn’t quite as simple as ye think. Open and shut may be consistent with a surgeon’s practice, but it is rarely the case in psychiatry. As ye’re aware, the law requires us to respect a patient’s wishes unless they are unable to adequately make choices for themselves. The evaluation of competence is intertwined with the decision the patient is being asked to make. The more serious the decision, the more carefully we have to make the assessment. Elizabeth has profound retrograde amnesia related to a fugue state, but that alone doesn’t mean she isn’t competent. She demonstrates the ability to reason, she holds appropriate values, and she understands her condition as well as the choices available to her. Furthermore, in this case, she is not refusing treatment. She is simply refusing to change hospitals. I find her perfectly competent to make that decision.”
    “She has no one to care for her here.”
    “She has agreed to meet with me regularly so I can monitor her condition as long as she is in New York. If she returns to her home in Cincinnati, I will ensure that she is under the care of a trusted colleague there. It seems she has friends she trusts in both cities who are willing to help as needed.”
    “Who will manage her finances? She can’t read. She has a massive trust-fund that could be wiped out in the blink of an eye.”
    “I can understand why that might concern ye. Elizabeth, would you be willing to have an attorney and an accountant act on your behalf regarding your financial matters? Someone both you and your parents would be comfortable with?”
    Elsie frowned. “I’m not sure how to find people like that or know if they were skilled.”
    Before her father could jump in, David said, “Perhaps you would allow me to suggest some candidates. I’ll take you to meet them. Then your parents can review and approve your selections.”
    Elsie looked to Gabe. “What do you think?”
    “I think it is an excellent idea. David has the skills it takes to help guide you, and both you and your parents seem to trust him.”
    She looked back at her parents. “Does that make you more comfortable?”
    Elizabeth’s father glowered at her. “Your mother and grandfather own one of the largest legal firms in the country and you think it’s a good idea to seek an attorney elsewhere?”
    Elsie was stunned by his derision. “Why are you so angry with me?”
    “Because you are being obstinate and unreasonable.”
    Elsie wasn’t going to give in to tears again. In that instant, she steeled herself. She didn’t want a single thing from this man. She turned to Gabe. “I hate to ask this, but would you help me for a little while, even if I have nothing? Just until I get my memory back?”
    “Of course I will.”
    “Thank you.” Turning her attention back to Elizabeth’s father, she said, “There. You can appoint whomever you choose to manage my affairs. I want nothing to do with any of it. Keep it