Money, Family, and Blood

Chapter 1

An elderly woman is lying in her bed, her breath labored and weak. She seems like she is on her final legs, but she knows that things must be dealt with and only she has the power. Summoning her remaining strength, she calls out " Evelyn! Evelyn!". A middle- age woman with short blonde hair rushed in. " Yes, what is it, Ms. Beverly?" said Evelyn. Beverly gasped out " Get my paperwork in the green folder and call  my lawyer. Tell him to come immediately." She then coughed into a nearby tissue and looked when she was done. The tissue was covered in blood, much more than yesterdays or the day before. "Hurry." she said. Evelyn sprinted off. She knew that the green folder Beverly mentioned was in the main home office, but didn't know of the folder's contents. Evelyn grabbed the folder from the desk and used the phone in the office to call the family lawyer.

 A young man answered and asked what happened. Evelyn said, " Please come to the Frostfire mansion immediately. The mistress asked for you." The man on the other end understood what was happening and hung up the phone. "This is the 13th time I've been called to that house. What change did that women want to make now?" he thought to himself. "Mr. White! Where are you going?" his intern called out. Mr. White stopped in his tracks and answered his intern. "To the Frostfire mansion. " "Again? But this is the thirteenth time she's called you." his intern said with an audible pout. Mr. White replied " I know, but such is business. Plus, this might the last time I see her. Rumor has it she's taken a turn for the worse." The intern, a teenage male youth, is saddened by the news and Mr. White, a 24 year old male had a solemn expression on his face. " Don't say that. " said the intern. "Ms. Beverly will outlive us all. You'll see." The intern was on the brink of the tears as he said this since he hasn't met Beverly,but holds her close to his heart. Mr. white only nodded and left the office to head to his car, then to the mansion. When he arrived, the staff knew of his visit and the importance and stayed out of the way. Mr. White rushed up the stairs to find Evelyn at Beverly's doors. " Thank you for coming on such short notice." said Evelyn. Mr. White only nodded and asked for entrance. Evelyn only moved to the side and Mr. White entered into the dimly lit room. He stared at Beverly, the frail woman in the king sized bed. "I won't ask how you feel since it is obvious to anyone." Mr. White said. Beverly only chucked. " Ah, Ricardo. Only you can be this serious in front of this old carcus. At ease, boy , at ease." said Beverly. Ricardo White smiled at the old lady. Even near death, she has the spirit of ten men. " Well, what is the change you wanted to make?" said Ricardo. " Ah.... yes. Bring an chair over here. I want to speak, just the two of us." said Beverly with a wry smile. Ricardo nodded and brought a chair over to Beverly. " Well now, let's see about this..." " Miss Frostfire, please note that this is the 13th time you've changed this. Is that okay?" asked Ricardo. "Yes." said Beverly. And with that, the two individuals got to work, the elder dictating instructions and the younger obeying every word. By the time the two were done, it was midnight. Ricardo exited the room with a different expression. He looked tense, even shell-shocked. " Hey Evelyn... call the pastor. Tell him ... it's time." said Ricardo. His voice was hoarse, as if he was crying and his eyes were dark. All of the staff of the Frostfire mansion, including Evelyn, understood what was happening. Beverly was running out of time.

Two hours later, an aging man arrived in full pastoral garb to the mansion. " Father Green..." said Evelyn. " Just take me to her." said Father Green. " Of course, she is in the master bedroom." said Evelyn. Father Green rushed to the master bedroom as fast as his old legs could take him. he entered the room and closed the door behind him. One hour later, the pastor exited with tears running down his face. "Call the rest of the family. Tell them the time has come. She has passed." Evelyn and the rest of the household were devastated at the news, but did what they were told. Soon, all of the members of the Frostfire family were notified of Beverly's death based on age and seniority. First was Carol, Beverly' s oldest daughter. She broke down in hysteria and had to be consoled over the phone. Next was Eve, Beverly's youngest daughter. She was stoic as a statue as she notified her husband Keith and daughter Maria Lee who were both overcome with raw emotion. Maria and Keith were close to Beverly, so the news of her death hit them to the core. Eve, however, seemed relieved at the news. Almost as if she expected something out of this. Lastly, Kyle, Beverly's only son, was told. He was silent, but as everyone else, understood the implications of what happened and wanted nothing to do with it.