Morning all. The rain just keeps coming. So as it forms a soothing, if damp backdrop, let’s jump into the days’ prompt. Are you ready? Fabulous, let’s go.
I like this one. I suspect the nephew is going to think she took the money and there will be issues. There are also a lot of places I would like to expand this before I get to the end . I saw the story in my head and wanted to get the main bits down so i sort of rushed it to hit the highlights. it very much needs expanding. But that is something i am happy to o later. For now, I am quite pleased with this midweek prompt.
Wednesday, June 21st: I feel free.
“I feel free,” she said. “Does that make me a bad person?”
“I don’t think anyone is going to call you a bad person,” Clive replied. His smile and tone were both indulgent. She knew he was just trying to be nice, but the tone still slid under her skin and made her want to scratch.
He sighed. “It is normal to feel that way I suppose. You spent the last, what, eight, nine years taking care of him. It had to be a heavy burden. Always looking out for him, making sure his needs were met, putting off your own plans.”
Alice nodded. It had been eleven years actually but she decided not to mention it.
“It is only natural that now he is gone you feel free,” Clive continued on. “I’m sure the grief will come later, once the relief fades.”
Again, Alice nodded, not bothering to correct him. She hadn’t cared for him. Her stepfather made her life a misery during her childhood. She could never compare to a child born of his own flesh and blood. ‘Not that he could have any children of his own flesh and blood,’ she thought, not for the first time. He was infertile and step child or not she was the only child he would have. He resented it. She hated him for most of her life but in the end there was no one else to take care of him and despite her dislike she couldn’t leave him to fend for himself.
“You know the contents of the will?” Clive asked.
Alice shook away thoughts of her step-father for later contemplation and possible therapy sessions. “No, actually, I don’t,” Alice said.
Clive blinked, a sure sign that she surprised the old lawyer. Nothing else on his face changed, he had far too much practice hearing outlandish things for that, but he blinked and she knew he was surprised. She tilted her head to the side wondering why. She didn’t expect anything from the will. She expected that all that her step father possessed would go to his brother’s children and assumed she was merely here to turn in her keys. She had already moved all of her belongings out. They were boxed up and waiting in the moving van ready for her departure once things here were finalized.
“I see,” he said. Clive didn’t so much sit down as he deflated into his chair. He frowned and then clasped his hand on the desk in front of him. He peered at her over the rim of his glasses which slipped down his nose a bit.
“Your step-father was administering you trust fund while you lived with him,” Clive began. This time it was Alice’s turn to blink.
“Trust fund?” she asked.
“From not only your mother’s estate but your father and grandparents a well. Didn’t you know?”
“He said they left nothing,” she said.
“Well…” Clive cleared his throat. “Well he lied. For…whatever reasons he had. The money and property is safe of course. The rules regarding it are quite firm so it has been held safe for you regardless and in fact has earned a tidy interest since you haven’t depleted the capitol.” He cleared his throat.
“Roght, so I will be giving you the paperwork for that and going over any questions you might have. I understand you are leaving town soon?”
Alice wondered if he saw the moving van she parked in the lot behind his office. “Yes,” she said. “I have a change of address for you.”
“Good, it would be nice to keep in touch, in case you have questions.” He signed. “I’m afraid everything else goes to your step-father’s nephew.” Alice nodded and drew out the house keys.
“I suspected as much,” she said. She placed the keys on the desk and then took out a slip of paper. She placed it next to the keys. “The bills have all been paid through the month and will expire unless someone transfers them to a new account. All the details are on there.”
Ten til Midnight 