Only Aunt Carol looked angry. “Why do I get
so little? You’re always playing favorites. I
shouldn’t have even come back. What am I
going to do with a few hundred grand?”
“Then don’t take it.” Grandma said.
Aunt Carol hesitated, then snapped, “I have to
take it! I took care of you for a long time.
Why shouldn’t I? I want it!”
Grandma didn’t respond but called me over.
“Sweetheart, come here. Grandma doesn’t
have much to leave you. You need to listen to
Grandma and study hard. Get that good
education!”
I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. I nodded
as hard as I could.
“I will, Grandma. I promise.”
Grandma gave me a soft look, and closed her
eyes.
I started crying, but my aunt and uncle were
too busy arguing over the will to notice that
Grandma had passed.
We’re supposed to have a seven–day
mourning period after someone dies.
Aunt Carol left because she didn’t like how
the will was divided.
Before she left, she said to me, “You’re such
an idiot. The old lady didn’t leave you a dime,
and you’re still crying.”
“I always knew what she was like. Serves her
right she died in pain, a sexist old bag, and I
want nothing to do with it!”
I glared at her. “Then give the money back to
Grandma! She’s gone, and you’re still talking
bad about her? You’re trash!”
Aunt Carol’s eyes went wide, and she raised
her hand to hit me.
“You little brat, I’m telling you, she deserved
to die a slow death. You think I won’t hit you
just because she protected you? Even if I do,
your dad wouldn’t say anything!”
Dad and Uncle Mark heard the commotion
and came back. They knew they were wrong,
so they didn’t say anything.
Uncle Mark lit a cigarette and said,
“Sweetheart, just let your aunt hit you. It’ll
make her feel better.”
Uncle Mark got so mad that he tried to hit
- me. A gust of wind blew the door shut.
His hand slammed into a nail sticking out of
the door frame. He screamed in pain as the
nail pierced his skin.
I sniffled and felt the breeze dry my tears.
Grandma was watching over me. I didn’t
blame her for not leaving me anything.
I wondered why Grandma didn’t leave me
anything, but I knew everything she did was
for my sake.
After Grandma’s funeral, the will went into
effect.
Everyono met at a restaurant
<
Everyone met at a restaurant.
Uncle Mark had a couple of drinks and said,
“I told my kids to sell their house. We’re
moving to Brooklyn to live like kings!”
“The old lady didn’t do anything her whole
life. Turns out she was good for something
when she finally died.”
Everyone laughed. I just took a sip of my
soda.
My cousin said, “Why did Grandma give me
so little? The money I got was enough for a
down payment on a car, I still have to make
car payments every month.”
Uncle Mark said, “Don’t worry. Once we sell
the brownstone, I’ll buy you a luxury car!”
Г
My cousin smiled and raised his glass.
“Thanks, Dad! You made me a rich kid!”
Aunt Carol snorted. “I think the will should be
rewritten. I took care of the old lady more than anyone. Why did I get the least?”
The mood changed instantly.
Dad slammed his fist on the table. “What are
you complaining about? Our Sweetheart took
care of the old lady too, and she didn’t get a
dime.”
“She’s getting the antiques, right? Once you
sell those, you’ll be swimming in millions.
What are you complaining about?”
Aunt Carol slammed her hands on the table.
“I don’t like it. I want each of you to give me ten million, or I’ll sue! We’ll see who’s right!”
Uncle Mark slammed the table. “Are you
trying to ruin the family? I’m telling you, giving
you a few hundred grand is more than you
deserve!”
“You’re a married daughter. You shouldn’t get
anything!”
Aunt Carol grabbed a glass and threw it at
him.
