Paper Lanterns

Chapter 20 Φ

Chapter 20 Φ

Eric attended Mr. Steve's funeral two days later. It was a simple ceremony, as Mr. Steve had always preferred things to be that way. There were no eulogies, because the one who had passed away wanted his deeds to remain in secret. It had been a gathering of people whose lives he had touched as they said farewell to this kind-hearted philanthropist.

The following day, Eric had a meeting with Chuck Murray, Mr. Steve's lawyer. He arrived in his office at exactly ten in the morning. Mr. Murray turned out to be younger than what he had expected. He was only in his late thirties, married two years ago and had a daughter who would turn one next week. Chuck had readily shared the story with him when he noticed that he was staring at the picture frame on his desk.

Eric had also found out that Mr. Murray was an orphan, who Mr. Steve had supported until he graduated from law school. After passing the bar and working in a private firm for several years, he had ended up replacing Mr. Steve's previous lawyer who had retired.

His stories were endless. Eric figured that this must his way of reconnecting with Mr. Steve's memories. Mr. Murray seemed to be close to him as well, and thus he had found a common friend in Eric.

Before realizing it, Eric also went on about his encounters with Mr. Steve, where he had met him, and how they'd become friends after. It had only been more than a year since Eric and Mr. Steve met in a café, even if it felt like Eric had known him all his life. Mr. Steve had an empty seat in front of him as he was reading the morning paper while enjoying a cup of coffee. Eric had a test the following day, and he had nowhere to study, since Jared created a commotion in their house and had been sent to share the room with him as his punishment.

He took a chance and asked Mr. Steve if he could take the seat in front of him, promising that he'd be quiet. Mr. Steve had agreed, since it was basically an empty spot. Nobody thought that it would be the start of their morning routine. For the next few days, as the café kept on getting filled with customers during his study hour, Eric would find Mr. Steve in one corner. He was still reading the morning paper, with that empty seat that looked as if it was waiting for him.

It was hard to think that Mr. Steve's memories would slowly fade away now that he was gone. His worth was so much more than that, and his good deeds needed a place to be told. So Eric enjoyed it, those stories that he and Mr. Murray were able to share with each other.

It had been a long introduction until Mr. Murray got into the details of Mr. Steve's will. "He has a granddaughter, and he wants you to find her."

"Me?" Eric asked. It seemed to be an odd request, since this was the first time he had heard about this. Mr. Steve had always been reserved when it came to his family, and Eric had never asked more what seemed to be appropriate.

"I don't really know why he specifically wanted you. Did he tell you about his son?"

"I've heard that story before," Eric replied. "But I don't remember him mentioning anything about a granddaughter."

"The name's Chelsea Anne Lovette. She's his only granddaughter. His son had cut off ties with him after he had eloped with the mother of his child. In his will, it is stated that he wanted his granddaughter to inherit all his fortune," Mr. Murray went on, reading over what was written in Mr. Steve's will.

"Chelsea," he repeated her name.

"Yes," Mr. Murray confirmed, turning over the third page of Mr. Steve's will. "Unfortunately, Mr. Steve's son died a few years after the elopement. Chelsea lives with her mother now in Averns Creek. I've heard that you're familiar with that place, so maybe that's why Mr. Steve picked you for the job."