Ev
I woke up to my mother shaking my shoulder gently. Her face was pinched and worried. “Ev, the lawyer is here.” She told me. I looked at her dazed but it sunk in that the Ness’s lawyer was here. An old man came into the room. He walked with a cane, had a pointed nose and had on a very nice but worn suit.
“Ms. Trammel,” he said and reached out his hand to me. I shook it and he smiled down at me.
“I am very sorry for your troubles.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
He sat across from me and put his briefcase down. “I know it seems like I have been rather insistent on seeing you but Ness was very adamant that if something happened to her I was to see you as soon as possible. She thought very highly of you Ms. Trammel. She was so happy that Dug had a friend and a friend that was as goodhearted as you.”
“I thought very highly of Ness,” I told him. “She made me feel blessed, even when I was feeling sorry for myself. Before I got taken, I had some sadness in my heart and she helped me deal with it.”
The lawyer’s eyes clouded over. “I am Thomas Pepper. I have been Ness’s lawyer for many years. We were friends. I thought she was a good woman. Salt of the earth.” He paused. “I am sure you know that her family had some troubles similar to yours and that her sister, Bernie, was Dug’s biological mother; not that you would ever know it-Ness loved Dug and did right by him.”
“Yes, I know.” I smiled slightly remembering how good Ness was with Dug.
“Well,” he began and pulled out some papers. “Ness came to me weeks ago and put into her will that the night runner would take care of Dug if something happened to her. I thought she was going senile. She didn’t have your name at that time. She told me that Dug told her the night runner was coming and going to be his friend." He paused. Took a deep breath in. "I discouraged her from leaving that on a legal document but she told me to trust her and most of all, to trust Dug’s intuition. I agreed. A few days ago she came back into the office and put your name and your son’s on her will."
I looked at him confused. "What are you saying?"
The old man smiled sadly. " Ness, didn’t live extravagantly. Dug had what he needed and at times what he wanted and so did Ness. She often worried what would happen to Dug if she passed. It worried her to no end. She didn’t want him to be put in a state facility. She wanted him to have a home with someone who loved him and understood him. You came into her life and were that person for her, even though she didn’t know you that long. She knew enough and Dug knew you were good. You are now a wealthy woman and the guardian of Dug."
I looked at the man shocked. “What do you mean?
He shuffled through the papers. “Ness left you roughly 4 million dollars, plus her home to you and she also put one million aside for Donnie which he can receive when he graduates from high school. He can use it for college or any training he would like to do."
I heard a gasp and dishes clatter to the floor from the kitchen. I was pretty sure my mother heard the whole conversation. Her and Dad both would act like they couldn’t hear anything at times. I think they both had selective hearing.
“She didn’t have to do that. I would have bent over backwards to provide for Dug and Donnie,” I told the man. I could feel my face getting hot. I was in complete amazement that Ness had that much money.
He reached over and patted my leg. “Ms. Trammell, this money will help you with medical expenses and recovery. You need to be well to be a good mother and caretaker.”
Tears rose in my eyes and threatened to flood over. This time it wasn’t from shame or anger, it was from the kindness of Ness. I put my hand over the elderly man’s, feeling his veins and his pulse. “I will get well. Thank you.”
“You have no idea how strong you are. You really should tell your story, Miss. You could help someone,” he told me as he packed his papers away. “As soon as you are up to it, come to my office and sign some papers.” He reached in his pocket and handed me an envelope. “This is a letter Ness wanted me to give you. I don’t know what it says, but I am sure it is something important. The woman was a phenomenal person. She never took words or friendships for granted. She also kept many things close to her chest. I often wondered what was never spoken from the woman’s lips.’ He paused and cleaned his classes. His eyes glassed over with tears. "I must admit, I have been in love with that woman for years. I hope she knew how I felt about her. I’m quite find of Dug, as well. I hope that you will consider me to help you with finances and any legal needs you have."
“Thank you,” I told him. “I am sure she knew. "
“Was a pleasure to meet you,” he told me and left.
I sat in my chair, determined to get better and make a better life for myself, Dug, my son and others. It was time for me to get out of my self-pity and get well. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, trying to comprehend what the lawyer had just told me. I had Ness’s letter gripped in my hand. I wanted to read it, but at the same time, I was scared to read what was in it. I know Ness had other secrets that I did not know. Did the letter hold those secrets? Did I want to know them?