Artistic Archives

Granny Edna

Random Piece of Writing + Prompt:

Our wealthy Aunt Edna has died and left you all of her money. At first, you're excited, as you've been living paycheck-to-paycheck your whole life, and this newfound money offers you endless possibilities. But, in her will, Aunt Edna left one big catch—and, if you don't do it, all of the money is to be given to your most unlikable cousin, Wilfred.

"Your paycheck, Nicola."

"But-"

"No buts, missy. You've only worked for two hours every day this week, and you just turn up here and expect I'll give you a full salary?"

"I had an urgent family matter, Mike! Please, just this once?" Nicola chewed on her dyed blue locks while gazing at her manager with her bright hazel eyes.

"Absolutely not! You really expect me to believe that?"

"You believed Harry when he said his pet rock died!"

Scratching his balding head, Mike laughed nervously and replied, "Errrr. He just turned 19? You're already 27, Nicola. And Harry's also is going to college! I'm so proud of him. Working at this mere mechanic and already studying as an engineer?"

"I can't believe you! I. Need. My. Paycheck. I have to survive! Food! Water! House! Or I'll leave..." Nicola stomped her foot on the inky concrete and pouted.

"Fine, you can leave. I had my eye on this young girl. Great legs, too."

Her manager dragged her by the arm to the door as she struggled to escape. "I was just kidding!"

"Too late for that, sweetie! See ya!"

The mahogany door frame shook as Mike slammed it shut and pieces of paper flew everywhere. Nicola stared wide-eyed at the locked door, then desperately knocked on the door in a vain effort to open the door.

"Are you Nicola?" She spun around and blinked at the man wearing a suit by the mossy steps.

"James? What are you doing here?"

"I've been searchin' for ya, lass. You been wastin' me whiskey break, down by the bar," he said. His breath stunk of alcohol and his pants and sleeves were strangely wet.

"You haven't answered my question." Nicola tapped her foot on the stone and crossed her arms. A coffee and a scarf would be nice.

"What do you want?"

"There ain't be any reason for ya to be askin' me this. Your mam be naggin' me ever'day about your nan Edna these days."

Nicola felt her grandma's gnarled hands caress her cheek and her soft voice telling her stories right before she fell asleep. Forever.

After, she still remembered burying her head in the crisp, eternally white blanket and crying her heart out and the monitor that had finally stopped beeping. Staff rushed in, some saying their apologies and sympathies, though they wouldn't understand, So many died in the hospital, it was almost an hourly routine to leave wilting roses by the bedside table.

Suddenly, James clapped his hands in front of her face and said, "You're her first candidate on her will. I figgered it would be Wilfred, her own sonny-in-law. There be around three billion dollars in 'ere." He shoved a cheque in her face. "Too bad I can't go around claimin' it for meself."

As soon as he said 'Wilfred', an image of a man with brown slicked hair lounging on an armchair in a meticulously ironed suit with a wine glass between his hands. Yacht parties were the new 'trend' and Wilfred couldn't help but to snap up that idea. He was a big hit, yes, but rarely any people genuinely came. Sure, thousands of people turned up and danced the night away, but most of them were gazing at the lottery machine and extensive buffet on the deck; Nicola had seen them, but Wilfred had nonchalantly waved her away when she tried to tell him.

It wasn't a surprise it wouldn't go to Wilfred. Despite his significant amounts of spending stacks of money, he had enough money from his computer company to live comfortably for a few decades. Losing a mere few billion dollars wouldn't worry him much, but for Nicola who only lived the life of paycheck-to-paycheck, it was heaven.

"You should stop dreamin' about stuff, lass. There be a condition, o'course. You have to marry one of the men listed in Edna's will. If ya don', all the money will be forwarded to 'im."

He turned away, his shoes thumping on the concrete. "Wait! Come back! Do you have any other details? Please?"

As he continued to stroll towards the horizon, Nicola gave up on shouting and running to catch up to him.

Without realising, she had been clutching a scrunched up piece of paper in her hand and flattened it against a nearby brick wall.

I'll stop there. I just realised I'm terrible at romance and I ran out of ideas here. I hope you like it. I guess.