Page 20 of Conflicted
She stole a glance at the clock. “When did you have lunch? It’s a bit early, but how about we go to Garozzo’s for dinner. You love their salmon and spinach, don’t you? If I get the veal saltimbocca, we can share our favorite foods.”
“Um, actually, I ate a late lunch, so I’m not very hungry.” Jewel averted her eyes and pretended to be busy putting away her scissors. “Besides, I’m not properly dressed for a formal restaurant.”
“Nonsense, although the waitstaff is formally dressed, they don’t have a dress code. Plenty of people wear jeans, and you look lovely in this color.” Ruby placed her hand over Jewel’s hands to stop her from fidgeting. “I’m just going to say it, Mom.” Jewel lifted her head, whether it was from Ruby’s tone or her use of the word ‘mom,’ but she didn’t care. “I saw you three days ago at The Sweet and Savory Table, and you seem even thinner now. I’m worried about you.”
“Oh, honey, I’ll be fine. It’s just a phase; I’m still a bit shaken by the attack. I didn’t like going over to the bank with the weekend money, but now it’s even worse. The police still haven’t found the person who did it, you know?”
Of course, Ruby knew. She even talked about it with Paula, another Club Indigo submissive, who also was a police detective. With Jewel not being able to identify the perpetrator and no eyewitnesses, the chances of finding the one responsible were slim to none.
Determined to get Jewel’s mind on happier thoughts and hopefully get her mother to eat more than one bite, Ruby suggested, “How about I help you with the cleanup and accompany you to the bank tonight?”
Jewel’s face brightened.
“We can decide later what to do for dinner.” Ruby retrieved a broom. “Besides, you might even be hungry after we’re done cleaning.”
“Sure,” Jewel answered, and the effort her mother made to put a cheerful expression on her face almost killed Ruby.
After an uneventful stop at the bank, Ruby coaxed her mother into having dinner, which sadly Jewel barely ate. After Ruby dropped off Jewel at her car near the salon, Ruby drove straight home. With the mail in one hand and her keys in the other, Ruby entered her apartment and marched straight to her couch to flop down. Her shoulder muscles ached as they did in her first weeks bending over tattoos, and she could swear she felt tiredness in the marrow of her bones.
Ruby grabbed the wad of mail from where she’d stuffed it in her bag. She only checked it a couple of times a week since it was either junk or bills. With a wary exhalation, Ruby scanned the envelopes. She made sure to get to the statements on time, otherwise, she tended to ignore it. The last letter Ruby received had been from the sperm donor a few days ago. She’d done with it what she did with all of them, marked it return to sender, and put it out for the mail carrier.
This batch looked like the usual – cell phone bill, she really needed to go paperless with that; utility bill, same; a flyer from a bank wanting to give her a credit card, junk; weekly grocery ads, she should take a look at those, she needed to go shopping this week; what was this?
When her eyes landed on a thick, formal-looking envelope, she stilled. Why would a law firm send me a letter? She turned the fancy envelope with a return address of Grayson, Atherton, and Sheffield from New York over and checked the address. It is for me and not a mix-up at the post office.
What do they want? Curious, she pushed a finger between the sealed top flap and the back and tore it open. It can’t be a summons, I haven’t done anything wrong, and those are delivered in person. Ruby pulled out a neatly folded paper and two smaller envelopes. She scowled as she recognized her name in her father’s bold black handwriting on the first, and dropped the envelope like it contained anthrax. Instead, she unfolded the paper with the law firm's letterhead, and she started with it. “Dear Ms. McCormick:” it read,
We are writing you on behalf of our client, who has important information to convey to you. He has enclosed his own letter, but the summary is to inform you that a trust has been established in the names of Jewel McCormick and Ruby McCormick, in the amount of $1.6 million.
This trust will exist for our client’s life and then convert to separate trusts for you and Ms. Jewel McCormick. You will have free access to one half of the annual proceeds of the trust while our client lives. After his death, you will have free access to the principal as well. Should you have need of more than the annual proceeds, you may ask the trustees, this firm, for additional funds.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 212-555-5858. My assistant, Jessie, will be happy to answer your questions.
Sincerely yours, Jacob Sheffield
Ruby lowered the letter to her lap. So now my father tries to force me into meeting him by throwing money at me? Like he can buy me? Confusing emotions rushed over her, anger at the sperm donor, grief he offered her money while her mother must have struggled for years, and shocked disbelief at the crazy amount of money.
A quick glance at the clock showed her it wasn’t too late to call Sandra. Ruby fumbled for her cell phone, her fingers shaking. Pull it together, girl! Gripping the case a bit harder than necessary, Ruby punched Sandra’s name in the caller history and waited for her friend to answer her phone.
After what seemed ages, Sandra answered with a breathless, “Ruby?”
“Am I calling at a bad time?” I haven’t interrupted a moment between the newlyweds, have I?
“No, of... course... not.” Sandra let out a giggle, and Ruby heard a muffled. “Stop it, GT.” The ‘T’ ended on a long squeal and another chortle.
“Sorry about that, I had to get rid of a zealous boyfriend.”
In the background she heard GT yell, “Husband and Master, and don’t you forget it.”
Sandra ignored him and prompted. “What’s up, girlfriend? Normally you’d sent a text, so this must be urgent.”
Rubbing the back of her neck, Ruby stuttered, “I... ah, I,” She pulled in a long breath and gushed out on exhalation, “I got a letter from an attorney on behalf of my father.”
“What?” Sandra exclaimed, followed by a more moderate, “No, GT, nothing is wrong.” Sandra again addressed Ruby, “You’d better tell me word for word what’s going on. Why is the douche canoe sending you letters, and why through an attorney?”
Some of Ruby’s dark mood lifted. Sandra was sweet and quiet, she was also fiercely loyal and protective of the people she loved, and Ruby adored her. She took a deep breath and gave her best friend a rundown of the letter and the rest of the envelope contents.
“That’s a lot of money.”
