Page 15 of Unless It's You
But itrings a bell in my brain.
Evelyndidmention a bucket list to me. I search my memory for her words. It was something simple, like:just working on my bucket list, Stella darling.I had no clue what she was talking about. A bucket list? In your nineties? But when I asked her what was on it, imagining skydiving or swimming with sharks, she chuckled and changed the subject.
And now that I think about it, had she saidmy bucket listorthe bucket lists? I don’t remember.
“Except for a token amount to her nephew’s wife—your mother—Evelyn is leaving her complete estate to you three, divided evenly.”
All of us stare silently into our screens, presumably at Richard’s video square, waiting for him to continue. We all knew she would put us in her will. The three of us were the ones who loved her the most. Whom she loved the most. We knew this was coming, but to hear it spoken out loud, confirming how much we meant to Evelyn... there’s a prickling of tearsin my eyes.
“However, there’s a rather unique catch.”
I narrow my eyes. Of course, there’s a catch. Evelyn never did things the normal way.
“While examining her life and her potential deathbed regrets, she thought about her great-nieces. She wanted only to help you three live long, fulfilled lives. So she thought: what are the things I think they should do to help achieve that goal? Your aunt Evelyn wrote each ofyoua bespoke bucket list, which you must complete in order to receive your inheritance.”
Um, what now?
Maddie, with pink cheeks and wide eyes, appears to start talking, then finds the unmute button. “Can you explain that further, Stuf—uh, Richard?”
He holds up a finger and continues speaking. “And to convince you to actually complete the lists, she set a requirement that all three of you must do so within four weeks—that’s twenty-eight days—or her entire estate will get donated to charity. Minus that small amount for your mother.” Richard adjusts his glasses.
Reese audibly gasps and Maddie appears to choke on her own spit. My jaw drops open.
Oh, no. I can’t do this. Not now.
Not with all my projects at work. I don’t have the time or the strength. Tears sting my eyes, and I blink until they dissipate.
“One more detail.”
“There’s more?” Maddie groans.
“You maynottalk to each other about your individual lists while completing them. I’ll read a quick note she wrote on this topic.” He clears his throat. “Darlings, you must each complete your bucket list all on your own. The three of you have a beautiful sisterly bond, but I know you. Reese, you’ll want to help everyone with their lists, especially Maddie. And Maddie, you’ll listen to whatever Reese or Stella tell you to do. And Stella, you’ll do it your own way anyway. The three of you can talk about this in four weeks.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Reese shakes her head. “I just want to help.”
Richard ignores her comment.
“I’m sending out an email to each of you right after we get off this call. There will be a document attached. The first page is a letter to all three of you, the second a letter to each of you individually, and third is a description of your bucket list items, including an explanation of why she chose it,” Richard continues, like a damn robot we can’t turn off. “I have the rather unfortunate role of judging whether you have completed the items in the spirit in which Evelyn intended, so I recommend touching base with me within a week with your plans so I can approve.”
“Oh my god.” Maddie blinks about a thousand times. “This is for real. Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I were.” I swear Richard holds back a bit of a grin. “Not only did she give you each a handful of bucket list items, she added some colorful details on how they need to be executed. So read carefully.”
Am I dreaming? Nightmaring?I dig one of my heels into the top of my other foot and wince. Nope. Definitely not asleep.
“Are there any questions?”
“Yes,” all three of us say at once, but no one continues talking.
“Alright. Review your lists and let me know if you think of anything.”
We end the call and I slam my laptop closed. Evelyn was certainly not a normal ninety-year-old. But I’m hoping she didn’t do anything too ridiculous with this bucket list concept.
Suddenly, this small huddle room is suffocating, so I stand and gather my things.
Twenty-eightdays.Oh, Evelyn.
The hallway isempty and I’m thankful I don’t run into Tessa or Chloe and have to pretend my mind isn’t going a hundred miles an hour. I open my email and there’s already a message waiting with the subject lineStella’s Bucket List.
