Unwanted Fate (12 page)

“New to me.” She shakes her head, trying to come up with an explanation.

“Each one is labeled with a year, and has mementos from that year for either you or me. It’s like a scrapbook in a box.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“No. It’s crazy. Why would he keep track of me? The man hates me. Why would he keep my memories around?”

“I don’t know. I wish I did. Like I said, he never said anything about you at all. Basically, he made sure I had whatever I needed and worked.”

“Nothing makes sense… I don’t know what to think. Any ways, did you find anything upstairs?”

“No. Anything down here yet?”

“Nothing. Do you see any boxes without years on them? Maybe that’s where we should start?”

“Let me look…” She walks around the room looking at each box. “No. Did you try the desk?”

I’m an idiot. “Not yet.” I turn the chair around, swiveling it back to the desk. In the middle drawer, I see only a few pens and paper clips, and a set of keys. I open the top drawer on the right side and it’s full of note cards. I try the second drawer, locked, and I try the third, locked as well. I pick up the keys out of the middle drawer and try them in the lock. Bingo.

The second drawer pops open once the lock is unfastened. Expecting to find papers, I find photos instead, and pull them out. Photos of Mom, me, Mom and me, and Dad and me, and they have to be twenty-five years old. I don’t remember them. Everyone looks happy, even Dad. I put them on top of the desk, and Addison picks them up and smiles.

I open the third drawer and I think it finally has what I’m looking for. A thick warn manila packet with
Important Financial Documents
written in red ink on the front. I grab the dense file and untie the red string holding it closed. I pull out the papers inside and two smaller envelopes fall out into my lap, and I place the papers on the desk and pick up what fell.

I turn them over and notice that our names written on the front of the envelopes, one for Addison and the other for me. I’ll worry about these later. I place them on the desk and go through the papers. Half way through the file and I find it,
Last Will and Testament
.

“Found it, Addison.” Skimming through the document, I read he has asked not to be resuscitated. “He has a Do Not Resuscitate order. So we need to let the hospital know.”

“Okay,” she says, tearing up.

“It’s a lot to take in, I know. I should have been here for you more.” I get up, walk around the desk, and hug her.

“Patrick, I’m going to be alone…I have nowhere to go.” Shit. I didn’t think about that.

“Don’t you worry about it. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

“I don’t even know what to think right now,” she says, wiping her face on my chest.

“Let me get Dad and all of his financials sorted so we know what is going on and then we will know where we need to go from there.”

“Okay.”

“Oh,” I say letting go of her and pick up the letter on the desk addressed to her, “this is for you.” She takes it out of my hand and looks at it.

“That’s Dad’s writing.”

“I know.”

She sits on the edge of the desk and gently opens the envelope and pulls out the tri-folded piece of paper. I watch her eyes read line by line, word by word as the tears stream from her eyes. When she finishes, she holds the letter close to her chest and sobs. I pull her into my chest and comfort her. I have no idea what the letter even says.

“You need to read yours,” she says in between gasps.

“I will when you’re calmed down.” I can feel her nod into my chest and I hold her until her breathing evens out.

“Please make sure you read yours, it’s in my letter to make sure you do.”

“Okay.” I pick up the letter and open it.

“I’m going to get a glass of water, do you want one?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m not going to be here much longer since we found what we need.”

“Alright. I’m going to go shower before I go to the hospital.” I nod, opening the letter.

Dear Patrick,

I’m sure you’re confused about everything you found in my office. I wish I could have been man enough to explain it to you in person, but since you’re reading this, I’ve probably passed on.

Let me by saying I’m proud of the man you’ve become. You’re honorable, successful, and compassionate. I’m sorry I wasn’t the best father to you. I didn’t want you to turn out like me and the only way I knew to do that was to push you away. I saw so much of myself in you and it scared me.

Before I met your mother, I was rough and wild. I danced with the law several times and stayed the night at jail few times for public intoxication, but back then, it wasn’t a big deal like it is now. I was heading down a road of destruction until I met her. She made everything change…until the first time I raised my hand to you, and I couldn’t stop until I made sure you turned out nothing like me.

I pray to God everyday that you’ll turn out nothing like me, especially when it comes to being a coward like me. From what I can see, you haven’t. You’re the son I’ve always been proud to have, but too stupid to honor.

I know this is a shit attempt to apologize, and there aren’t enough apologies in the world to tell you how sorry I am.

I hope I haven’t left you and your sister with a lot of debt. There is money is the false bottom of the drawer you got this letter from and a few insurance policies. I hope it helps.

Please take care of Addison. She loves you and you mean the world to her.

Love,

Your father

Harrold F. Matheson

I crumble up the letter and throw it. How in the fuck can he tell me everything in a damn letter?

“Argh!” I knock several boxes to the floor, their contents flying everywhere. Shit.

“Are you okay,” Addison breathlessly asks as she runs back into the room.

“Yes, I read my letter.”

“Did yours tell you about the money?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Everything should be taken care of.”

“I think so.”

“I need to get out of here. I’m feeling closed in here, I’m suffocating.”

“Alright. Do you want me to tell the hospital about the will?”

“No, I’ll do it. It lists me as the executor of the estate. I’ll call them tomorrow. Enjoy your night with him.”

“I will,” she says as she gives me a hug.

I pick up the wadded up letter and files and carry them out to the car, and throwing everything in the passenger seat when I get in. I need to talk to someone…

M
y phone rings as I put my SUV in reverse and I answer, not waiting for Siri’s voice to play through the speakers.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Um. That’s a first. Daddy a few times, but definitely not mom.”

“Oh shit. Sorry. I assumed you were my mom. She calls me about this time most days.” I giggle. “And I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.”

“I can let you go.”

“Nooo! That’s not what I meant. I mean, how are you? I swear some days my mouth opens before I think about what I’m saying.”

He laughs. “Well, can I take you up on that friend thing? I really could use your opinion.”

“Of course.”

He begins by telling he was at his parents’ house and everything he found and the letter. I can hear the pain and emotion in his words, and I bet his heart is thumping and his palms are sweating because he is talking so fast. I actually can’t believe he called me for my opinion.

“I don’t know what to think. I…I’m somewhat lost here. What do you think?”

What do I think? I don’t even know what to think. I really want to see the letter, but I really don’t think this something that should be discussed over a phone call.

“I think we should have this conversation face to face. We’re both driving and these are your emotions we are talking about.”

“Come to my house for dinner?”

His house? Dinner? Can I trust him? I mean I know of him, but do I know him? Yes, I can trust him, and he did say the friend thing earlier.

“Sure. Time and address?”

“Six and I’ll text you so you can put it in your GPS.”

“Okay.”

“Any food you don’t like?”

“No, and no allergies either.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you in a few hours.” He hangs up.

I’m in a daze and I have to slam on my brakes, trying not to get hit by the idiot driving a Mustang that decided he needed to pass me and cut me off. After twenty minutes of dealing with rude drivers, I make it to my apartment, and run inside. I want to shower and change before I go to Patrick’s and I know I’m going to have to rush as I saw his address is southwest of the city on Rancho Verde

Ahhh! I don’t even know what I’m going to wear.

After my shower, I pick out a maxi skirt and T-shirt with a pair of sandals. I look nice and it’s comfortable. I pull my hair in a loose bun at my neck, and I apply a little makeup. I hope I met Patrick’s expectations. I grab my sunglasses, purse and keys, and head out the door.