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“Mr. Hardwin, I’ll begin with the reading of the Will and Testament of Albert C. Roper and if you have any questions for me, please wait ‘til the end.” He begins reading all the legalese opening the document and comes to the part that mentions me. Course, I knew I’d be here somewhere, or else I wouldn’t have been invited but I didn’t expect what the attorney read aloud. “I nominate and appoint Nettie Curtis Bowman of New York City as Assistant Personal Representative of my estate, and I request that Kase Hardwin of New York City be appointed Personal Representative. If my Personal Representative fails or ceases to service, then I nominate the Assistant Personal Representative to serve.”
The lawyer cranes his neck, as people around the room mutter and grunt their displeasure.
“In addition, I appoint Kase Hardwin as the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Newfound Ad Agency…” And I don’t know what is read after that, because my ears are ringing. I’ve been given the entire estate of Albert C. Roper along with his business, and every person in the room now hates me.
Ask me if I care.
But I’m worth billions and billions of dollars now, and while this should come as a happy surprise, I’ve never felt more empty in my life. I have no mother, no Evie, no Liam, no Bert Roper, no life, and no Alana, but I’ve got a bank account full of money.
I sign the papers I’m supposed to sign and shake the hands I’m supposed to shake, and at some point today I’ll have to call Nettie and give her the news. She’s out of town and never expected to be invited into this meeting, but all this will change her life. I will make sure that Nettie Bowman, Mr. Roper’s caretaker, a woman everyone thought was “just service,” “just the hired help,” gets her fair share of his inheritance.
Liam gets a share too, but I’m his fiduciary, so it’ll be a while before he can access it.
When I arrive home, it’s warmed up, a beautiful day, but inside the house, it’s cold and empty. Just me and my mansion. Everyone thinks money is the key to happiness, but I have nothing to fill my soul. On the floor, poking out behind the rocking chair in the living room, is Liam’s blue bunny.
I pick it up and stare at it, remembering the little boy I lost, the mother who birthed him, the woman who cared for him, and the grandfather who loved him. Where is he now? Somewhere wondering where his real family is and why we don’t come rescue him. I can’t, little buddy. It’s out of my hands. Squeezing my eyes shut, I finally allow myself to feel that pain and lose my shit completely.