original

lead me to the mansion

Tác giả:

Chương 1: His Will

The plain field moisten from the few drops of rain. The bearers let down the casket, deep underground. The day was foggy nonchalant, with demise in the air, a silent funeral. With very few attendees.

One, two, three, four heads circled around the soil’s hole. All heads were down to send him off. Thick water drop fell wet on the soil, as if a warning. Then came the marching sound of heavy rain. One, two, three heads ran to shelter under the roof nearby.

But one head remained low and unmoved. A hand tottered to wave and a golden ring glistened to the glimmering sky “Bye, my love” Lilith’s tear dropped along her sunken right cheek disguised among the waters that drenched her hat, down to the ends of her gown.

A man carrying his big full weight, hurriedly ran towards her way, sending off the clump of mud divert from his shoes yet covered the side of his black vamp completely. Holding an umbrella to accompany Mrs. Arlott under a roof.

“Mrs. Arlott, we must shelter your head first. Come” He grasped her arm across her back to move under the concaved umbrella.

“Oh Atty. Mackenzie” Startled from disappearing sensation of rain droplets on her strong, dark hair, pined up into a spiral bun.

“We must go” he nudged Lilith’s back in gesture to walk. They both took off in the same pace of walk.

Among black suits stands a drenched black dress of which Lilith wore. Mr. Mackenzie slid closed and shook the parasol for excess water.

“Mrs. Arlott, I understand your husband died. As his personal lawyer and dear friend, he asked of me to give you this under his name.”

He went across the place and inside, Lilith thought she is better off to wait outside the door that closed before her upon his entering.

A few second and the door opened ajar, peeking his head and half of his body through the gap,

“Mrs. Arlott, come.”

He tilted his head inward to the place and opened the door widely for Lilith. She was hesitant but her foot came to walk over and inside, tempted by the mud track his shoes had left.

Following inside, it was warm, far warmer from the fog that laid on the field.

Mr. Mackenzie shuffled around his hands and lifted a what seemed to be an envelope.

“Mrs. Arlott, he left me this to give to you once his time has come” he then handed over the paper, but Lilith only looked at it for a short while.

“what-what is this? What is it about?” she was taken aback; her hands dared not to touch nor go near it.

“for you, from him” he waved the envelope up “Take it”

Her eyes danced left and right on the envelope. “I- I don’t want money from-“

“Lilith, it’s not. Not even money” his thick brownish mustache split between from his cupid bow to his commissure narrow lips.

Lilith reached for the envelope cautiously and looked at his eyes. Hesitant it seemed, but the curiosity hungers for the concealed message. She forced open the envelope cracking the wax that sealed the letter.

Her hands were shaking, desperately opening the folded paper, the crumpling sound of it deafened her hearing as she read from the Date it was made, down to its closing regards.

It said, “My love, I hope you forgive me” The paper pierced through her heart.

“You silly silly man, Gerald” she sobbed, and tears fell.

Another paper lied between her fingers and envelope, she opened and read:

[Last Will and Testament of

Gerald Arlott

I, Gerald Arlott of xxx California, being of sound and mind do hereby declare that this is my last will and testament. I revoke all wills and codicils that I have previously made in executing such document, I hereby declare that:

Article I

Family status

I am currently married to Lilith S. Arlott, I have no children now living, nor have I any deceased children who died and left an issue. Being of an only child in the family of Arlott, I have no sibling.

Article II

Payments of debts and expenses

I direct that my just debt, funeral expenses, and expenses of last illness be first paid from my estate.

Article III

Assets

Personal property

1. I have a checking account in xxx bank with amount of $50,000. The savings will be transferred on Lilith S. Arlott’s account.

2. I own a 2002 toyota car which I acquaint since the fifth day of March, year 2014. The said property has a balance of $5, 500 which will be given to Lilith S. Arlott.

3. I have inherited my father’s mansion at xxxLouisiana, the title and rights on said property will be given to Lilith S. Arlott.]

Lilith’s hand trembled, “No, why?” the tears streamed down her face

“He’s not rich, we’re not rich. Mansion? What is this?” she fumbled the paper.

The lint of saliva thread between her teeth as she opens her mouth “I don’t understand” she looked at Mr. Mackenzie.

He clicked his tongue, turning his back and undressed his wet black suit and flopped it to the marbled surface.

“I don’t know. I have not seen the mansion too” He paused to look at her, then the letter, and back to her eyes.

“There is an address, since the property’s yours now, you are very welcome to visit it” he grabbed again his black jacket and walked past Lilith,

“I’ll take my leave now, Mrs. Arlott” he waved his hat off and opened the door.

Lilith fixated on the paper, did not see Mr. Mackenzie off.

Only if this money could bring you back to life, damping her streaming tears as she kissed the paper. She sat for a long time, mourning.

Drowned in sorrow she clenched the paper closed to her chest. The rain poured down and thunder followed. Dusk hour came, her clothes seem to have dried somehow, she stood up and sighed, it was evening by the time she came home.

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