The Inheritance

CHAPTER 1

A stream of cars rolled up to the fabulous mansion. Teri observed a few sedate SUVs, some small sports cars, but the majority appeared to be in the clunker category, belching black smoke and coughing as they climbed the incline to the indicated parking. Petite and attractive Teri Stone viewed the tall columns lining the front porch which had always inspired her with awe. She struggled up the twenty, steep, daunting steps as she and her handsome, blond husband John ascended to the tall double doors.

John, I always loved coming to see Aunt Haddie. It seemed like I couldn’t get up these steps fast enough. But today, knowing she isn’t here any longer, it seems a struggle. She took his arm as they continued.

Sentimental Teri.

John and Teri Stone were considered by some to be the perfect couple. She was a very quiet, almost timid person. When you saw her she impressed you as very petite and pretty, but not a forceful personality. There was only one thing that she was very vocal about. She loved God, church, and all things spiritual.

On the other hand, John was very brash, vocal on all things. He had a forceful opinion about any subject you brought up. No one ever heard him talk about things spiritual. If the subject came up, he would just say, You have to talk to Teri about that.

Because of John’s personality, he was considered the ‘go to guy’ when it came to innovative business thinking.

John had no family, no history of who he was. He was raised in an orphanage. Therefore he always felt the need to prove himself, either to himself or to others by succeeding in business. Therefore he was a great Investment Banker.

Teri was a petit bundle of energy. She had long rich brown hair, and a great body. She did her job at the welfare office, never making any waves. But she was considered to be very thorough. She had a family who had brought her up in church, and taught her the principals of God. She loved going to church. She had a burning desire to do the will of God in her every-day life.

Teri and John watched as each person entering was asked to show their letter, summoning them to this meeting. She realized no reporters or outsiders were allowed. If the nephew or niece of the deceased was married, their spouse was allowed to be with them. They were ushered into the inner sanctums of the mansion belonging to Haddie Haley by the doorkeeper.

Teri looked around the magnificent room. It felt packed with warm bodies. Almost all chairs were occupied, as they waited for the lawyers to speak to them. She heard a lot of shuffling and whispering. In addition to the family, she noticed many trusted employees who had taken care of Ms. Haley’s needs through the years. She also noticed some short term employees who had proven valuable. She supposed all had received a letter requesting them to be present today.

As Ms. Haley never had any children who survived infancy, she had requested her many nephews, and nieces to be present. They knew her as merely Aunt Haddie. This was a large group as Ms. Haley had many siblings. Most of them were good-looking, hard working, middle class citizens. They waited. She noticed a few of her cousins were nervous, and some excited. Teri felt most of them wondered what her aunt’s estate entailed. All assumed that as her heirs, they were in the will. Very few were aware of how wealthy the Haleys were.

The lead estate lawyer stood, instantly greeted with an expectant silence.

Greetings: family and employees. I thank you for coming today. As you know we are here to read Ms. Haley’s last will & testament. She felt very strongly about the quality of her employees and family. By that, I mean the character of each. She expressly told me to be sure that each recipient of her largess proved worthy of it. That meant in character as well as intent. As most of you know, she never spent money foolishly. She never paid $5000.00 for a stay in a spa, when she could stay in a luxury room in a hotel for $500 and get the same services.

Nephew, Bill spoke behind his hand to his neighbor-nephew Sam, who leaned over to listen. Yes, yes. We know how stingy she was. Get on with it, man.

The lawyer spoke to Bill and Sam saying, You two young men may be excused to have your conversation outside, please

Sullenly, the two young men rose, and proceeded outside into the corridor. Can you believe we were sent out like disobedient children? I’ll have them know I am a grown man, and I’ll talk when I want to! They waited impatiently in the corridor.

Needing to go to the bathroom, Teri had slipped out of the library. She heard the two cousins complain as they began to wonder when they would be allowed back inside. As they saw a constable at the door, they stopped him to demand, When can we go back in?

I don’t know, but I’ll ask. Proceeding into the library, he left them.

Teri went into the restroom and lingered, reapplying her make-up. Several minutes later, as she was walking back into the hallway, she heard the constable return and tell them, The lawyer said you can go home. You aren’t needed here anymore.

But…. But… we haven’t received our inheritance yet! Bill stammered.

You don’t get one. When you were disrespectful, it disqualified you.

We’ll see about that! I’ll sue the pants off everyone in there.

Go ahead. The constable replied. The lawyer was explaining this very thing to the audience, when you said your piece inside.

The young man Sam muttered But…I didn’t say anything!

I asked about that, and was told that to listen is as bad as to talk.

As the two stomped off mumbling under their breaths, the constable shook his head, and said to himself, That’s why Ms. Haley put that in her will. She wanted only people of good character to inherit her estate.

CHAPTER 2

T eri and John sat quietly listening as the bequest was named to all of Ms. Haley’s employees. She had been very generous to them, Teri observed. Most were given $10,000 if they had been with her at least five years. Those who served more than five were given $10,000.00 for each five years of service. That meant the companion who had been with her for thirty years, got $60,000.00. There was some shifting at that, but no one spoke up, knowing what had occurred previously when the nephews were vocal.

Teri and John seemed to be the cream of the crop of the cousins. They sat with confidence and poise.

Teri’s long brown hair swung over her shoulder as she reached over to squeeze John’s hand, trying to assure him silently, that the family would get its share of money as the employee’s portion was so large.

Teri drew a deep breath as she closed her eyes. Sure enough she could still smell the wonderful calming fragrance of lavender. Aunt Haddie loved that scent so much! Teri experienced a thrill as she looked around at the luxurious walls of the library in which they sat. Each wall had famous paintings hung on them. Each shelf had objects of art. On one shelf sat a fabulous Faberge’ Egg. Of course it was too big to pocket, but it almost seemed presumptuous to leave it sitting there where everyone could reach out and touch it. The mansion was a little overwhelming. Teri thought it was too big for a home, but she had fond memories of her visits here.

The lawyer explained, The spouses of the nephew & nieces are not due any Inheritance nor could they claim any portion thereof, as the Inheritance only runs through the blood line. But the blood related nephew & nieces will each receive a billion dollars!

You could hear a startled gasp through-out the crowd. After the two nephews were sent out, there were 10 left to inherit. Yes, the lawyer explained, That is with a ‘B. He waited patiently while the whispering subsided.

However, there are a lot of restrictions that accompany the bequest.

The general consensus among the heirs was, for a billion dollars it might be worth a few items of restrictions. Everyone shifted in his or her chair, and leaned forward to hear exactly what he had to say.

You need a pen and paper to take notes. If you don’t have any, lift your hand and it will be brought to you. Be sure you record everything I tell you, as not one exception will be made. There are no second chances.

"Ready? You must not tell anyone about this bequest for one year. During that year, you will live on your salary from your jobs just like you have been living. You will not discuss this with the other participants of the inheritance. You may discuss it with your spouse, if you have one, and if you need to with your lawyer. During this one year period, you will investigate the sources of investment best used for this amount of money. The one with the best portfolio will receive extra money to invest. The extra money will be accrued by moneys left over after all have received their inheritance. The reason some money will be left, is that Ms. Haley knew that some won’t follow this guideline and will lose their money! She made the comment that some would not even get out of this house before having to tell someone about their good fortune. Others will go to the bar tonight, and drink to your good fortune. In a drunken stupor, you will tell the whole crowd at the bar about it. It will then disappear ‘as would the fog on a windy day.’

I have retained private investigators to follow your actions. You will never know who they are or where they are! And I quote Ms. Haley. Please realize, I am very serious about this. No one of bad character or bad moral standing will get any of my money. Are there any questions about these restrictions?"

No? Then you are dismissed,

The crowd rose without a word, and filed out of the room.

CHAPTER 3

T eri and John walked to the car, almost in a stupor. I am shocked beyond words Teri said as she thought about it. In the car, they looked at each other for a minute, and then scrutinized the back seat to be sure no one was there. Turning to each other at last, they shouted, squealed, and hugged. I can’t believe it. Teri shouted.

I am dumbfounded. John breathed.

I wish I could tell my Mother, Aunt Haddie’s sister, about the inheritance. But she knew that she couldn’t. I feel this is the hardest part of the inheritance. Everyone in the family knew Aunt Haddie and her husband were wealthy, but had no idea just how wealthy.

I never dreamed you had a relative that wealthy, Teri

They went home to their comfortable condo. The living room was scattered with John’s work which he brought home most nights. Teri tried not to bring work home more than absolutely necessary. She wanted time to keep house, cook for John and study the Bible. She was very interested in taking some classes given at the church for that purpose.

Each thought separately of all they could do with that kind of money. Teri mentioned I know what I would like to do with the Inheritance. She worked for the welfare system in the children’s department. I want to establish a home for unwanted children. I think of those children who fall between the cracks of the government system. I have seen so many who, for one reason or another, were not qualified to be placed in foster care, or were placed with fosters who were not interested in the children, but just wanted the money that came with the job. Oh how my heart bleeds for those children.

As she tried to explain this, John wasn’t interested at all. He told her, Please don’t get all gooey-eyed over some kids that don’t want your help anyway. They are bad-blood and will always turn out bad. No matter what you do for them. I am the investment banker. Let me do my job well, and we’ll both be better off.

She felt intimidated by John’s expertise on money matters. He was always telling her how dumb she was about finances.

I may not know all about how to invest money, John, but I do know the needs of those children, which nobody wants to mess with.

Oh give me a break, Teri.

She just left the room, and felt sorry for her imaginary children. When she thought of trying to put together a portfolio for the lawyers, she did feel very inadequate. She felt sure she would never be able to do it without help.

After John was alone, he began to think of all the things he could invest in. He could buy into businesses that would make him a swift profit. He was sure he could become the next entrepreneur who was touted across America. Maybe he could be the next ‘Donald Trump!’ But he knew that Teri would be a bleeding-heart for those children she mentioned. He would need more than she would allow him to control. How could he get his hands on more money?

I’ll think of something. He mused.

CHAPTER 4

E ach went to their separate jobs, doing well, but couldn’t help thinking of the possibilities of the inheritance. As Teri walked into her crowded office, she wondered what it would take to enlarge this facility. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have more room to conduct these interviews?

After days turned into weeks, then months, Teri decided to ask John how the investment portfolio was going. He snapped at her, "Leave me alone. I am trying to plan it and keep up with my