Page 54 of From Our First

“I see we’re all here,” a man with graying hair at his temples and a firm jaw said as he walked through another door behind the desk area. “Hello, I’m Mr. Ongard,” the man said, holding out his hand to Lacey and me. I shook it, grateful that he seemed to be a no-nonsense type of man, but he had kind eyes. I had learned long ago to read the kindness in someone’s eyes.

“Now that we’re all settled, let’s begin the proceedings.”

An intern came in behind the lawyer, holding a stack of papers and a tablet, presumably to take notes.

“I will read the will as stated, and any questions can be asked after. Please keep your remarks until the end so we can get through this. I know this is a tough time for all of you, and it’s completely understandable if you need me to talk over things and elaborate on the points afterward. But once we get through the main items, we can get through it all. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” I said, not meaning to say the words aloud. My mother narrowed her eyes at me since no one else had spoken. But Lacey was angled behind me on the couch, and I could feel her presence, a warmth I hadn’t known I needed. I was glad that I hadn’t brought anyone with me, even though Nate’s face filled my mind at the thought because bringing anybody but myself would have been a shield the others would have seen as a weakness. The idea that I had to think those thoughts when it came to my family hurt, but I didn’t dwell on it.

“Okay. Let’s begin.”

He began reading the will, going over the initial instructions for the terms of my grandmother’s estate. With each word, it was as if he were pounding nails into the coffin—a word for each hammer strike. I would not break down, even though that’s all I wanted to do.

“To my daughter, Constance West, I leave my emerald jewelry collection as listed below. May you find warmth in the coolness of the stones.”

My mother squeezed my father’s hand, and I was glad that she got those pieces. She had always loved them, and though they were beautiful, they weren’t my mother’s stone. The lawyer named another stone collection for each of my grandmother’s daughters before he let out a breath.

“To my niece, Lacey Brennen-Holden, I leave a small trust with the terms listed for her children and grandchildren, with names to be added according to the policy below. Your children will never have to worry about their futures, as I know you once did. You are a shining star, my Lacey. And I love you.”

I resisted the urge to turn around as Lacey sobbed, but I would go to her later, and we’d find comfort with one another. We needed to get through this, and I was barely holding on as it was.

“As for the rest of the estate, holdings, monetary accruals, and properties, I leave them to my granddaughter, Myra West.” There was a shocked gasp to the side of me and a curse, but I ignored it, my pulse racing.

“As the note reads, ‘I trust my Myra to do what is best, to find those who need hope in the darkness and an extra hand. I trust you with all of my heart, and always have.’”

He went on to talk about other items and instructions, but I barely listened. Grandma had left nearly everything to me. I couldn’t catch my breath. It didn’t make any sense. She had other grandchildren, and she hadn’t even mentioned the spouses ofherchildren. She had left my mother a small collection of jewelry but nothing else.

“Now, do you have any questions?” the lawyer asked, and Roland growled.

“That’s it? When did she change it?”

I looked over at my cousin, the anger in his face so palpable I almost had to lean back in my chair.

“Her will has been stated this way for the past six years.”

“That can’t be right,” my mother said. “She left everything to Myra? Myra left the family.”

“I didn’t leave. I moved to another state,” I corrected, not knowing why I was even arguing.

“What did you do to get into her good graces?” Roland asked.

The lawyer cleared his throat. “We don’t need to be shouting, ladies and gentlemen. We can talk these things over calmly and logically.”

“There’s no need,” my mother spat, standing up on her high heels. My father and Roland followed. “Our lawyers will be contacting you soon to contest this. This is ridiculous. I am her daughter. Not Myra.”

“I have the will right here, and it’s legally binding. You’re welcome to contest it, of course, but your mother was of sound mind when she wrote this and had it finalized.”

“What kind of charlatan are you for letting her do this? Myra can’t handle that kind of inheritance.”

“I’m sitting right here. Grandma Sharon isgone. Why can’t we simply focus on what we lost? We can work out everything else later.” I needed to breathe.

Someone put their hand on my shoulder, and I looked up at Lacey, who gave me a squeeze. I let out a breath. I had to remember that I wasn’t alone here. Even if I didn’t know Lacey all that well, I trusted her much more than I trusted the others.

“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” my mother repeated before she stormed out, my father and Roland on her tail.

The anger seeped off them, and I stood on shaky legs, looking at the intern and the lawyer, trying to formulate words. “Thank you. I need time to contemplate what just happened.”

“Of course. We have your contact information. We’ll talk soon. There’s a lot of paperwork to go over.”

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