I stared at the letter,barely able to make out the words because they were so blurred from the tears in my eyes. Before I could ruin the letter with my tears, I folded it back up and placed it inside the envelope.
Wolcott pushed a box of tissues across his desk.
“Thank you.” I blew my nose into a tissue. “I, um, I don’t know what to say.”
He stood up and nodded. “Not much to say. Take some time and decide how you want the money disbursed to you. Provide me with the adequate information, and I will make sure you get it.”
I opened and closed my mouth as I stood. “A college fund,” I blurted out. It was one of the first things that came to mind. “I need to start one of those for my son.”
He nodded.
“Oh,” I said, an idea suddenly overtaking me. But I didn’t finish my thought out loud. If the money was mine, I could use the rest to invest in Brightside to become a partial owner of the medical office and clinic.
“I have to go,” I told him. I was anxious to get back home and tell Ace. The night before, he’d all but written me a check when I told him that the owners of Brightside were looking for a partner and wanted me to buy in.
“Thank you, Mr. Wolcott.” I threw my arms around him and pulled him in for a hug.
He chuckled. “I didn’t do much, but you’re welcome.”
I waved and exited his office to start for home.
* * *
I drove home in a rush,anxious to share my good news with Ace. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind. I stared up at the brilliant blue sky above and smiled, recalling the first day Ace and I met.
To think those two idealistic kids from opposite sides of the bridge somehow made it baffled me.
When I arrived home, I was surprised to see Micah’s truck in the driveway.
“Hey?” I said with a wrinkle in my eyebrow when I walked into the house to find a smiling Micah. Aiden stood by his side.
“Hi, Mama.”
“Someone want to tell me what’s going on?”
Micah and Aiden exchanged a look.
“It’s a surprise,” my son said.
“Orchestrated by your husband,” Micah added.
“Are you hungry?” Aiden questioned.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because it’s after ten, and Ace didn’t think you’d eaten breakfast yet,” Micah answered. “Luckily, we have you covered.”
Micah stepped aside and extended his arm. Aiden fell in step with me and escorted me to the kitchen. There, a beautiful breakfast spread sat on the table.
“Scrambled eggs with cheddar, sausage, and a Belgian waffle,” Aiden pointed out. “Oh.” He snapped his fingers.
I watched him head over to the counter and grab the glass pitcher.
“Fresh-squeezed orange juice.” He smiled as he set it down in front of the plate.
“Eat up,” they both said.
My stomach growled.
