Jack & Destiny

Chapter 16: Jack

All of us were summoned to the lawyer's office the day after the funeral.

The elderly man with the thick glasses, a full head of silver hair and beard discussed my grandmother's will.

Nobody knew anything about a will or the fact that Grandma Lucy had money saved up.

The only property we knew she had was the acreage.

Everyone in that small office was teary eyed while the lawyer discussed the provisions.

Sitting there and listening to him rattled off about what she owed and what was left made everything real.

The acreage was left under Chuck's name with the condition that he cannot sell it or the house without everyone's approval.

He was very pleased.

Among us, he was the one who helped Grandma manage the acreage.

My uncle, James, did not look happy but there was nothing he could do.

Besides, he left Saskatoon the same age I did.

During the time I stayed with Grandma Lucy, I don't remember him ever visiting or calling.

I was not expecting anything really.

Grandma Lucy gave me a home and safe place to stay.

When the lawyer gave out the envelopes, I thought it was just for them.

I was surprised when he came over and gave me one.

Everyone at the table looked at me.

The kindly lawyer smiled, nodded at me and went back to his seat.

I stared at the envelope.

It felt warm against my shaking hands.

I didn't open it at once.

Whatever was in there could wait.

Everyone at the table looked at me especially Uncle James.

They were probably surprised too.

Jack and I left two days later.

This time, our goodbyes were bittersweet.

It won't be the same without Grandma Lucy.

While Chuck drove away, I looked back at the house with a heavy heart.

I thought I saw my grandmother standing in the front yard with everyone.

On her shoulders was her favorite brown and red woolen scarf.

She waved, smiled one last time and then disappeared.

The vision made me tear up.

I slept during the one-hour flight back to Calgary.

My mind was on autopilot and I let Jack take care of everything.

I still couldn't believe that my grandmother is gone forever.

Everytime I think of that, my emotions bubble up and I just start crying.

Despite the tumult in my heart and mind, I noticed that Jack seemed lost in his own thoughts.

He was also distant.

We didn't have a lot of time to talk after the funeral because of the meeting with the lawyer.

I was glad my grandmother had her business in place because before the meeting, Uncle James was talking with his siblings about what to do with the acreage and all her possessions.