Me: On my way.
· · - ·?· - · ·
Frank was waiting for me in his office with a bored expression on his face.
“You can read it here, or you can read it in the conference room but your phone stays here.” His eyes dared me to argue, and I had to bite back the urge to tell him to fuck off.
“I’ll take it in the conference room.” I tossed my phone on his desk, and he handed me the thick envelope.
So, Grama Barb must’ve written me multiple letters, too.
In the conference room, I took my time pulling each smaller envelope out of the large one. They were all addressed to Benjamin, and each one had a date beside it- the oldest being from when I was a freshman in high school. There were six in total, meaning the woman had updated her will six times in the last fifteen years. I started with the oldest first, and my hands shook as I opened it.
Dearest Benjamin,
If you are reading this, then I have left this world for a new adventure. I’m writing this picturing the fourteen year oldboy who was running laps around my house just yesterday to train for the soccer team. I want you to know that I have always been grateful that Kyle brought you into our family. You have been the brother that none of us knew he needed. If you are reading this, you’ve also been told that I’ve left you something in my will. I know that you won’t want to take it, but you deserve to get an education, you deserve to build a life for yourself, and you deserve to get away from those folks who call themselves your parents. I wish it were more, but it should pay for a semester of college and a car, or a couple of semesters. If you work hard at school, you might get scholarships and then it can pay for a car and a safety net.
Life is going to be tough for you; there will be hurdles that others don’t face, but there will also be good things. Leonard and my daughter will do everything they can to make it easier, but you must not let your struggles change your heart. You don’t have to be your father’s son; you can be so much more.
With love,
G-Barb
There was a tightness in my chest when I finally set the first letter down. I’d forgotten about the silly nickname that Kyle and I had come up with for Barb. We decided we were ‘too cool’ to be calling her Grama anymore. At fourteen, I was doing anything I could to avoid being home, whether that meant soccer practice, spending time at the Walsh’s, or even chores at G-Barb's house. Barbara had given me the money to get outof that town: it hadn’t been much… but to me, it had been everything.
The next envelope was sitting on top of the stack and was dated for the year after I started college. Melanie and I had been dating for over a year, and she was in her junior year of high school. I opened this one quicker, almost rushed.
Rip the Band-Aid off.
Benjamin,
This is the second time I’ve updated my will since adding you. I’m sure it won’t be the last. There have been some changes to the will, the one that impacts you the most is that I’ve already gifted you the money that was mentioned in the last one. I’m so proud of you for making it through the first year of college. Melanie brags about your grades and accomplishments every time you tell her something new.
That girl loves you. I don’t know if I’m breaking some grandmother’s code by telling you this, but I’m sure she’s already said so. Be good to her.
Keep up the good work, Ben. We are all so proud. I will see you at Thanksgiving.
With love,
G-Barb.
I smiled. By that point, we only called her G-Barb when we were teasing her; she used to tell us that she didn’t need a gangster name, but we always knew that she secretly loved it.
The third letter was dated six months after I proposed to Melanie.
Benjamin,
You and my girl moved to California, and I miss you both terribly. It’s an interesting feeling, being so happy for you both and also wishing you’d both stayed closer to home.
As I’m sure you’ve assumed, I’m updating my will yet again. This time, to include one percent of the shares of Leonard’s company. I currently hold three percent, and plan to distribute them between Kyle, Melanie, and you. My hope is that it will help provide for the life Melanie and you are building.
With love,
Grama Barb.
The fourth was dated after our wedding and contained a longer letter than the last.
Benjamin,
