Page 44 of My One
“My office didn’t prepare your father’s will,” Slade stated. “But given that your parents were well off, I’m sure he did and another attorney drafted it for him.”
“How do we find out?” My palms began to sweat. Everything was slowly starting to hit me. What if he had a will and gave everything to someone else? Who would that be? Would I put up a fight? Was it worth it? I’d never wanted his money before, but my mother wanted me to have at least half to make up for the way they had treated me.
“The trustee has thirty days to contact the attorney who prepared the will. In that time, they need to file the will with the probate court. I will file your mother’s this afternoon, and we wait.”
“And if hedoeshave a will?” Nicole questioned.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Hopefully, everything is willed to you, Avery, and it’s smooth sailing.”
“And if he willed everything to someone else?” I asked.
“Again, let’s worry about that when we know,” Slade answered.
“And if he didn’t have a will?” I inquired further.
“Given that they died together, and you’re their son, you’re the heir and would get everything.”
“Everything?” I asked, making sure I’d heard him correctly.
“Your mother listed all of their assets in her will. After any and all debts are paid, you would get everything they had in their estate.”
When I’d read the will, I also read the attachment that listed everything she was willing to me. I needed to look at the list again. But should I wait the thirty days instead of worrying about it now? I had no idea what to do. I knew I couldn’t sit around in California for thirty days.
“What do we do with their house and stuff?” Nicole asked.
“Their house and cars are paid off. Go through their bills to make sure there’s nothing outstanding, and don’t take anything until we know for sure. In twenty-five days, or when the will is filed, I’ll give you a call, and we’ll go from there.”
Nic and I went back to my parents’ house—or was it my house?
“Do you want to go talk to Edna? She might know if your dad had a will, or if there was anyone else he could have made his benefactor?” Nicole asked.
I knew of no one. Absolutely no one. Growing up, he never mentioned having brothers or sisters. My grandparents had lived in Wyoming and passed fifteen or so years ago. It was as though he wasn’t my dad because I knew nothing except the basics about the man.
“Yeah,” I agreed, and instead of walking into the foreign home, we walked up the slight incline of the driveway and across the street to the blue house. I knocked on the door, and a few seconds later, Edna opened it.
“Hey, Edna. We were wondering if you had a few minutes to chat more? We went to see Mr. Slade.”
“Yes, of course. Please come in.” She stepped back and motioned for us to enter. The house was the complete opposite of my parents’ place. It felt like a home with all the warm colors and paintings and various pictures around. Edna took us into her kitchen, and Nic and I sat at the wood kitchen table. Without asking, Edna poured us each a glass of lemonade.
I smiled at her. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Edna sat across from me. “I hate to say this, but I didn’t even know Denise and Doug had a son before Denise came over with the will.”
I nodded. “That doesn’t surprise me. I hadn’t seen them in over seven years.”
“That’s about as long as they’ve lived across the street from me.”
“It’s not a coincidence.”
She gave a tight smile. “I know. When your mother gave me the will to give to you, she told me a lot.”
“What did she tell you?” Nicole questioned.
“I think this might call for something stronger than lemonade.” Edna laughed and then stood. She went to a cabinet by the fridge and pulled a bottle of vodka from it. After pouring a few ounces into her lemonade, I pushed my glass forward, asking for some too. I definitely needed something to take the edge off. Nicole did the same.
“I don’t think I know the entire story,” Edna said as she slid into her seat again.
“Whatever you can tell me would be more than I know,” I admitted. “As you can guess, I wasn’t close with my parents.”
