d will suffer in the future because of
the accident。 The lawyer asks questions and you answer under oath。 You
see；〃 he explained； 〃in order to arrange a settlement； there has to be
some assessment of damages； of losses。 Not only will our lawyer； the
airline's lawyer； and its president be there； but there will be similar
representation by the airplane manufacturer。〃
She sighed。 What he described sounded less threatening than a court
hearing。 Still； the prospect of a question…and…answer session was less
than pleasant。 〃What will I be asked？〃
He gave a negligent shrug。 〃They'll want to know about you and Jeff。 How
old you were when you met him。 How long you were married。 Where he
worked。 How much money he earned。〃
〃But aren't those things matters of record； already？〃
〃Yes； but a deposition is a sworn statement of them。 It's legal and
binding。 It's just a formality； but an important one。〃
Anne rested against the back of the sofa。 〃I see；〃 she said when there
seemed nothing else to say。 〃Are my parents meeting us at the
courthouse？〃
〃My wife will have called them by now。 There's no need for them to be
there； not at a meeting like this。〃
She nodded； then searched the room for memories of Jeff that were warm
and treasured； memories that had finally found their place。 When her
eyes pleted the circle； they fell once more on her fathe