Tempt Me

Grandfather's Advice

Cold. It was really cold.

The rain became heavier that afternoon, accompanied by rolling thunder now and then. The skies had turned dark, though I couldn't see much of it under the black umbrella. Not that I was looking up. In fact, looking up was the exact opposite of what I wanted to do. I stared at the grass beneath my feet, unable to look up at the people weeping around me. All I could see was the damp grass underneath my feet. Only the monotone eulogies that floated through my ears reminded me that I was at a funeral. It was only when the speeches ended that I could finally raise my head.

A small gathering of people mostly made up of relatives that I didn't even know were even related to me were huddled around a simple, small grave. The grave read "David Anderson Forever In Our Hearts." It didn't do him justice. For awhile, all I heard was the sound of raindrops on umbrellas. I was thankful for the rain though, without it everything would probably be a heavy silence. I looked beside me, where my father was standing and holding up a large black umbrella for our small family of three. His face was emotionless his green eyes looked so lackluster, a strange sight next to my weeping mother whose makeup was falling down her heart shaped face. I wondered what was going through my fathers mind, after all, etched into the smooth grey tombstone before us was his fathers name. My grandfather. The one who raised me like his own daughter. The ceremony was small; only close family were allowed to come. As people left a tall slender man dressed in a clean black suit walked towards us. He introduced himself as grandfather's lawyer while he pulled out a few documents from his suitcase. He began reading the contents of my grandfathers will allowed. Only my mother, father, and I were allowed to hear, and for good reason.

"...And to my dearest granddaughter," the lawyer read, "I give my estate. All the furniture and decor that resides within the house shall also be given to her."

I couldn't believe my ears. I had earned the family estate? At 18 years of age? It felt impossible, and yet it was written out right in front of me by my own grandfather's hand.

"Did he say anything about what will become of the CEO position of the Anderson Toys Company?" My father asked.

The lawyer responded by saying no and mumbling about how the vice chairman will probably take the position. My father grunted and turned to face my mother with a serious expression on his face.

"About the estate...should we send her there to get use to the building? It'll be a good place for her to stay after high school."

My mother replied with uncertainty, "Are you sure we should? She hasn't even graduated yet."

"This would be a good experience for her."

My mother then turned to me, "Honey, what do you think?"

I really wasn't sure what to say. Why did my grandfather think that I was the appropriate heir to the mansion? I didn't even feel like I was ready to live on my own. I just shrugged at my mom's question and looked down at my feet.

"Well that seems to be it" My father said coldly, "We'll be taking our leave now I'm sure the little heiress needs sometime to adjust." He then walked to the car without another word.

My mother grabbed my hand and sighed, "Don't mind him honey, I think that your grandfathers passing really took a toll on him. Why don't we get back home for now?"

"You can go ahead to the car, mom. I think I need some time alone with grandpa."

"Of course. Take all the time you need."

She then gave me a quick hug and hurried after my dad. I looked around the funeral grounds, which was completely empty, then back down at the sullen-looking grave that was in front of me. It was blatantly obvious that my dad was in charge of the whole event. Who else would bury their own family the same day they passed away? His disdain for my grandfather was almost pitiful.