If you are reading this, then you are married to my beautiful granddaughter, and I’m no longer around to keep an eye on her. This honor has been passed on to you.
I am updating the will this time to include Griffin, like you, he has become a part of our family. Nothing changes on your end, but I wanted to take the time to assure you that there was no malice or ill will in my actions when I had the prenup written. I know you felt like it meant that I didn’t trust you or believe in your marriage, but that’s not the case. I willadmit, I was concerned when Melanie told me that you didn’t want her to work or even pursue her education- I do not love the idea of my granddaughter being entirely dependent on anyone. But, even if that wasn’t the case, even if Melanie was the breadwinner, I would’ve suggested the prenup. The prenup just guarantees that you are both protected, unless one of you betrays your wedding vows, at which point the consequences are steep.
I don’t know how much you’ve been told about my first marriage, Mr. Olsen- Felicity’s father- was a cruel man. In those days, men could get away with treating their wives any way they pleased, and unfortunately, the things that brought him pleasure either required hurting me or stepping outside our marriage. By the end, I found the latter to be a blessing.
I required Felicity to get a prenup as well, even though, like you, I didn’t believe Leonard had a mean bone in his body.
In the long run, I hope that you two never need to pull out that piece of paper but if you do, I hope that both have remained true to the versions of you that I know and love. And know that I do love you both.
With love,
Ol’ G-Barb.
The fifth was dated less than a year ago.
Benjamin,
If you are reading this, don’t worry about me- I’m sipping wine on a heavenly beach and smiling down on my beautiful family.
This is now the fifth time I’ve updated my will since adding you to it. This update is the most substantial yet.
First, let me say, you married a brilliant girl. About two years ago, Melanie started investing for the family. Nothing crazy to start, but she took a little bit of the pharmacy profits and invested in a few excellent stocks. Her efforts have paid off. The company is thriving, and the shareholders are reaping the benefits. She also made a few investments with my personal money, and at this time, I’m almost up to ten million dollars.
I am, of course, leaving her the largest chunk of my pie, but I wanted to leave you a little something, too. For all the years that you’ve taken care of my girl, for all the years that you’ve been a caring son, brother, and grandson to us all. I’m leaving you a million dollars and one percent of the pharmacy shares.
Be good to our girl. Be good to yourself and know that I’m proud of you.
With love,
Grama Barb.
The last envelope sat on the table, ominously, and I gulped at the date. Only a month prior to when Barbara passed.
Did she know she was dying?
Benjamin,
If you are reading this, then you’ve heard the will an,d after reading the other five letters, are probably wondering what changed in the last year. Well, my boy… You did. Or at least the version of you that I thought I knew did. When the doctors let me know that I was dying- down to months, I knew that I needed to get my affairs in order. Interesting word, affairs, it has two very different meanings, and unfortunately for you, getting mine in order led me to discover yours.
You’re probably wondering, how? Ironically, entirely by accident. A few months ago, I decided to take a final hurrah trip to Vegas. It was on my bucket list of things I wanted to experience before I left this world. I went with my old friend Nancy; she’s also the lawyer who has been handling my estate.
One of the nights, we were at one of the blackjack tables when I just so happened to look up and see a familiar face. Any guesses on who it was?
If you guessed, you… You are correct. Only you weren’t alone, or with your beautiful wife. You were with two women who I’m sure required payment for their time, and you were far cozier with them than any married man should be with a woman not wearing their ring.
Shame on you, Benjamin Landon. I thought you had risen above the home you came from. I thought you were better than the man who called himself your father. I do not know if this was the first time, nor do I know how far it went that night.
I do know that I’m a dying woman and a coward. I have picked up the phone a dozen times since that night to call Melanie and tell her what I saw… but my time left is so short that I can’t imagine using even a minute of it to help break her heart.
Instead, I have written a letter that is included in the envelopes to my daughter, detailing everything I’ve said to you today. She has been tasked with finding out if you’ve admitted your mistakes to my granddaughter, once the dust has settled from my passing. If not, then she will give Melanie the letter I wrote.
I hope for your sake that this was a one time mistake, I hope that it didn’t go further than what I saw, and I hope that you are honest with our girl. Maybe she will forgive you. Hopefully, she will forgive me for being too cowardly to tell her the truth when I saw you.
I’m devastated that I will leave this earth having participated in your betrayal of my granddaughter, and I’m angry with you for putting me in that position. I have loved you since you were a child, and I hope that the man I thought you were is still inside you. Do the right thing and be a better man.
Disappointed & heartbroken,
Barbara O.
