My Little Shadow

Chapter Eighteen: Would Have Loved You

It was around three in the morning when I got a phone call. A call that was as shocking as it was confusing and devastating.

~.~.~.~.~

"Andy and Sandra Jaded were as good as gold. They had a heart like no one I had ever met. They trusted and treated me like I was their son when I needed it the most. They gave me salvation in their farmland, gave me a reason to get up some mornings when I would rather not see the sunshine that day, and I am just honored that I got to experience their kind of love in this life time of mine." I gave a sad smile out to the small crowd.

I wish I was better with words, I wish I could pour out all of what my heart was feeling in this moment, but I couldn't. The words would just physically not leave my mouth. They would be stuck in my throat and chest forever unknown to anyone that wasn't me.

I sat back down between May and Archer. My mother reached over from behind and placed a warm light hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, son." The whole Thatcher family was here, even Killian made it.

Even though I was the closest to them, they used to babysit all of us when we were little. My mother and Mrs. Jaded used to bake for the local food banks together.

A few other people stand up and gave their own kind words, the crowd wasn't as big as I would have imagined, people like the Jaded's should have only standing room available but with their older age most co-workers, siblings and friends have either passed or weren't in the shape to make it to the service.

They were being buried in the same cemetery as Angelina. The cemetery where Sandra put pretty pink flowers on my daughter's grave only weeks ago.

The idea of them three dancing around in a field together somewhere made me ache in places I didn't know still existed. Imagied Mrs. Jaded leaning down and telling Angelina to make a wish after blowing out a dandelion, or Mr. Jaded messing up her hair only for my little girl to take off giggling, knowing that he couldn't catch her.

I imagine he could catch her now, arthritis cured, knee replacement pain nonexistent.

I'm not very religious despite my church trips when I was younger, but the thought was comforting. The thought helped sooth some of the pain this world likes to inflict.

"As the service wraps up, I would like for the following people to stay for the will." I was already headed out of the door with my brothers and May when the lawyer called out my name.

"Actually, everyone is free to leave, but ... August Thatcher." I stopped in my tracks, my brothers eyeing me curiously.

Before I left my family to go see to this, what must be, a misunderstanding, I reached down, grabbed May's hand, and placed it in Archers. They looked at me, both of them with worry in their eyes. "I won't be long."

The lawyer opened a door to a more secluded area. When I entered behind him, the well put together man handed me a file folder, which had a good bit of weight to it. "What's this?" I asked.

"Did they not discuss this with you?" He says, looking more confused than I was feeling at this moment. What was all of this about?

"No, can you please explain what's going on?" The lawyer pushes his hair from his face, an action he looked like he did a lot. His brown eyes glanced between me and the paperwork.

"Andy and Sandra Jaded left you as their sole inheritant for their three hundred acres and everything on it." I took a step back, trying to stumble my way out of whatever dream I had dreamt myself into.

"W-what? Impossible." I scoff at the dilosional man. What kind of crazy stuff was he smoking?

"Possible. Everything you need is right here." He tapped the front of the folder twice before stepping around me to exit the room. "If you have any questions or need help with anything, here's my card."