The Will

there is talk about deaths, of parents.

The sky is blue. The birds are singing, as if nothing will happen. But something will happen and there will be no going back, for anyone. Not now. Not ever.

The day started as usual. Meg sat at the same patio table in her favorite coffee cafe. Julie, Meg's best friend since preschool, was running late, as usual. This gave Meg time to think and preplan her day.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late", Julie said as she walked to the table.

"I had to dispose of the kitty litter or else my place will smell like a giant cat box. I wait till the last minute". Meg smiled quietly. Julie sat across her friend and carefully studied Meg's face.

"Oh no, I know that look. Again? Really"? Meg nodded.

"Sorry. It must be that time again. This popped into my head when I woke this morning. I don't constantly think about it, really. It will just surface, now and again", Meg stated. Julie looked at her friend and gave a sigh.

"Let's order". The friends walked to the end of the quick moving food line. This time they each ordered a gluten free muffin. Back at their table, Meg was quiet, drinking her coffee and nibbling on her muffin. Julie gave her space, at least for a while. She has witnessed this behavior from her friend for over a decade.

They sat, together, munching away, in silence. Well, almost silence. The birds resting on a nearby branch appeared to be discussing something very important.

"Talk about what you are thinking. It will help", Julie said, breaking into the silence. Meg smiled.

"You have patiently heard versions of this story for years. So patient with my stuff. A true friend," Meg said.

"When you get those thoughts out of your head and talk it out loud, it is helpful." Meg nodded in agreement. Julie, eyes wide, staring at Meg, the universal sign for let's get talking. Meg smirked.

"Jake phoned earlier today, asking me if I would, not could, not asking permission, but would I keep an eye on his house for a couple of weeks." Julie sighed.

"Why"?

"He is taking the family to Belize for a well-deserved holiday. Right, deserved."

"So, you will be house sitting?"

"Oh no, Jake said I don't have to go inside. Park on the street he said, not in the driveway and do a walk around. He will let the neighbors know I will be checking on his house, so they won't call the authorities."

"What about their dogs?"

"Oh, they will be at the doggie day care."

"Nice. When are they leaving?"

"Wednesday."

"That's 2 days away. Quick vaca."

"Yup." Meg paused.

"I know that will is hidden, somewhere in that house."

"The will from your father, the one that Jake continues to say doesn't exist?" Meg nodded. There was a pause. Julie had heard this story about the will for a long time. Nothing changes until something changes.

"Meg continued, "Jake had no money, per say, until our dad died. Mom was executor. When she died, 5 years later, Jake was next in line. He is 12 years older than I am. Made sense. I didn't pay attention to this at the time. Then it began. I asked Jake about Dad's will. There wasn't a will. He continues to deny its existence, to this day. I remember seeing the will, on the dining room table, years ago. I trusted my brother."

"Of course, you trusted him. He is your brother. Wait. You are blood relatives, right? You weren't adopted?" Meg smiled.

"Blood. Remember Jake's auto accident? He needed blood. Mine was tested and it was a match. I was told he and I were blood relatives."

"His wife couldn't donate?"

"No, that A B blood thing. She is the one he isn't."

"Oh."

"And then, within months of mom's death, Jake purchased a home, 2 new vehicles. Later on, his son's graduated from prestigous Universities. One son spent a year at Oxford."

"And you believe the money came from the will?"

"I do. And not only that. I believe he spent his inheritance and now he is spending my share."

Both friends were silent. Julie knew something was odd, maybe an inheritance. But she has no idea how Meg could prove this.

"So, Jake's financial situation changed when your mom died?"

"Seems so. There could be another explanation."

"Any other circumstances that could have contributed to his finances?"

"If there was, I did not notice or hear anything else?"

"So, what can you do about it?"

"Legally or illegally?" Julie stared at Meg, who was smiling.

"Legally, of course. There is no other way," Meg said with a smirk.

"I know you, Meg. You will find a legal way that boarders the dark side."

"Key word, boarders," Meg repeated.

"I know my dad had a will. I know I was named in it. Dad had properties. We as a family went for nothing. Jake tells other's that I am delusional."

"Really? That's funny," Julie laughed.

"I have checked several avenues, to try and locate the will, lawyers, courts, state records. Even had a legal letter sent to Jake."

"What happened?"

"No response."

"Court? Court order? There must be a paper trail, somewhere," Julie asked.

"$750 to start. Then a few thousand after that."

"I hear you."

"So, next step?"

"Still thinking?"

"Nothing stupid," Julie asked for reassurance.

"Right." The muffins and coffee were long consumed. It was time to get on with their day. The friends stood, hugged, walked with their trash and tossed it in the can. They exchanged some words, then parted.

Meg had the day off. Jake is leaving in 2 days. What could be done different in 2 days that a decade didn't accomplish? Blank. Meg walked the short way home and sat on her couch and picked up the remote. The TV turned on to British crime dramas, her favorite. She chose a familiar program. She was watching but not really paying attention. She was lost in thinking.

Then a thought. Holy cow. It was clear a day, a clear sunny day. A smile moved over her lips. then came a frown. How could she even think of such a thing? Well, it worked on that mystery show. But that is TV, make pretend. Not real. The smile returned. But maybe, just maybe, it is worth it. No harm, no foul. The smile stayed. She sat, quietly, lowering the volume. One day to plan. One day to execute that plan.

Wednesday morning arrived. Jack was sitting, doing his usual, scrolling on his laptop. He would stop, tap, read, then tap out and continue scrolling. Jake suddenly looked up.

"Hon, are you burning breakfast?" Several moments went by.

"Beth, are you burning something?" Still no reply. Jake rose from his chair, placed his laptop on the end table and briskly walked to the kitchen. No Beth. No food on the stove. No nothing. Odd.

Jake, puzzled look, walked back to the living room. His eyes widened. He could see smoke rising from outside the open window. How? He looked around. Slight panic was settling in. The smoke was now filling the room. Now the panic was setting in.

"Beth," Jake yelled. No reply. Jake lost no time. He rushed toward the fireplace mantle. He glanced side to side. No one around. He picked up the business award, turned it upside down, removed the base and pulled out an envelope wedged into the hollow frame.

He slid the bottom back on the bottom of the award and placed it back on its spot, turned, grabbed his phone and rushed to the front door. He opened the door and stood on the porch. There stood Meg, Julie and a few other mutual friends. Jake's mouth dropped open.

"What's in the envelope brother," Meg asked?