The Inheritance

CHAPTER 1

A stream of cars rolled up to the fabulous mansion. Teri observed a few sedate SUVs, some small sports cars, but the majority appeared to be in the clunker category, belching black smoke and coughing as they climbed the incline to the indicated parking. Petite and attractive Teri Stone viewed the tall columns lining the front porch which had always inspired her with awe. She struggled up the twenty, steep, daunting steps as she and her handsome, blond husband John ascended to the tall double doors.

“John, I always loved coming to see Aunt Haddie. It seemed like I couldn’t get up these steps fast enough. But today, knowing she isn’t here any longer, it seems a struggle.” She took his arm as they continued.

“Sentimental Teri.”

John and Teri Stone were considered by some to be the perfect couple. She was a very quiet, almost timid person. When you saw her she impressed you as very petite and pretty, but not a forceful personality. There was only one thing that she was very vocal about. She loved God, church, and all things spiritual.

On the other hand, John was very brash, vocal on all things. He had a forceful opinion about any subject you brought up. No one ever heard him talk about things spiritual. If the subject came up, he would just say, “You have to talk to Teri about that.”

Because of John’s personality, he was considered the ‘go to guy’ when it came to innovative business thinking.

John had no family, no history of who he was. He was raised in an orphanage. Therefore he always felt the need to prove himself, either to himself or to others by succeeding in business. Therefore he was a great Investment Banker.

Teri was a petit bundle of energy. She had long rich brown hair, and a great body. She did her job at the welfare office, never making any waves. But she was considered to be very thorough. She had a family who had brought her up in church, and taught her the principals of God. She loved going to church. She had a burning desire to do the will of God in her every-day life. Teri and John watched as each person entering was asked to show their letter, summoning them to this meeting. She realized no reporters or outsiders were allowed. If the nephew or niece of the deceased was married, their spouse was allowed to be with them. They were ushered into the inner sanctums of the mansion belonging to Haddie Haley by the doorkeeper.

Teri looked around the magnificent room. It felt packed with warm bodies. Almost all chairs were occupied, as they waited for the lawyers to speak to them. She heard a lot of shuffling and whispering. In addition to the family, she noticed many trusted employees who had taken care of Ms. Haley’s needs through the years. She also noticed some short term employees who had proven valuable. She supposed all had received a letter requesting them to be present today. As Ms. Haley never had any children who survived infancy, she had requested her many nephews, and nieces to be present. They knew her as merely Aunt Haddie. This was a large group as Ms. Haley had many siblings. Most of them were good-looking, hard working, middle class citizens. They waited. She noticed a few of her cousins were nervous, and some excited. Teri felt most of them wondered what her aunt’s estate entailed. All assumed that as her heirs, they were in “the will”. Very few were aware of how wealthy the Haleys were.

The lead estate lawyer stood, instantly greeted with an expectant silence.

“Greetings: family and employees. I thank you for coming today. As you know we are here to read Ms. Haley’s last will & testament. She felt very strongly about the quality of her employees and family. By that, I mean the character of each. She expressly told me to be sure that each recipient of her largess proved worthy of it. That meant in character as well as intent. As most of you know, she never spent money foolishly. She never paid $5000.00 for a stay in a spa, when she could stay in a luxury room in a hotel for $500 and get the same services.”

Nephew, Bill spoke behind his hand to his neighbor-nephew Sam, who leaned over to listen. “Yes, yes. We know how stingy she was. Get on with it, man.”

The lawyer spoke to Bill and Sam saying, “You two young men may be excused to have your conversation outside, please”

Sullenly, the two young men rose, and proceeded outside into the corridor. “Can you believe we were sent out like disobedient children? I’ll have them know I am a grown man, and I’ll talk when I want to!” They waited impatiently in the corridor.

Needing to go to the bathroom, Teri had slipped out of the library. She heard the two cousins complain as they began to wonder when they would be allowed back inside. As they saw a constable at the door, they stopped him to demand, “When can we go back in?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll ask.” Proceeding into the library, he left them.

Teri went into the restroom and lingered, reapplying her make-up. Several minutes later, as she was walking back into the hallway, she heard the constable return and tell them, “The lawyer said you can go home. You aren’t needed here anymore.”

“But…. But… we haven’t received our inheritance yet!” Bill stammered.

“You don’t get one. When you were disrespectful, it disqualified you.”

“We’ll see about that! I’ll sue the pants off everyone in there.”

“Go ahead.” The constable replied. “The lawyer was explaining this very thing to the audience, when you said your piece inside.”

The young man Sam muttered “But…I didn’t say anything!”

“I asked about that, and was told that to listen is as bad as to talk.”

As the two stomped off mumbling under their breaths, the constable shook his head, and said to himself, “That’s why Ms. Haley put that in her will. She wanted only people of good character to inherit her estate.”