“Thank you, Llew. Please give Maggie my love.”
“Of course.” Mr. Llewellyn leaned against his desk, foldedhis hands in his lap, and grinned. “You’re all probably wondering why we’re here.”
“Not really,” Holden said. “This is a will reading, isn’t it?”
“Holden.” Jenny hissed and shook her head. Holden held his hands up like, am I wrong?
Anna snickered next to me, which made me snicker. Holden was the male version of Sophie. Blond and brazen. I gave him a beaming grin. He grinned back. Silas readjusted his position against the wall.
Mr. Llewellyn was not ruffled by Holden’s honest response. “True. True. But you have to be wondering what Sophie would leave each of you.”
“Darn right,” Ashton piped in. “We all know that girl didn’t have any money.” She really didn’t. She’d put everything she had into making a life for herself and Anna, but that was hard to do when you lived off of a teacher’s aide salary.
Jenny tsked at him.
“Settle down,” Bo warned.
“You’re right,” Mr. Llewellyn nodded. “She didn’t have much. And what she did have has been put in a trust for Annaleise.” He picked a manila folder up off the table and opened it, rifling through some papers. “Some of you might be disappointed that she didn’t leave you anything.”
Ford shook his head, always the grumpy one. The only time Ford smiled was when a guitar was in his hands. “Are you for real? I stayed an extra week for this and she didn’t leave me anything?”
I shook with silent laughter. This family was the best.
Mr. Llewellyn held his hands up. “But she did specifically ask that you all be here.”
Ford snorted in disgust.
Mr. Llewellyn picked up a baby-blue envelope, and I smiled. Baby blue was Sophie’s favorite color. She’d had those envelopes sitting around for years. Multiple times, I’d threatenedto organize her junk drawer and toss them out, but she was confident she’d use them someday. Someday had finally come. Mr. Llewelyn sliced the envelope with a letter opener and unfolded a matching piece of stationery.
“She requested that I read this to you all today.” He adjusted his glasses, cleared his throat, and began.
Dear family and Lemon,
Lemon had better be there. If she’s not, stop right now and go get her. This is not to be read without her present. Got it?
We all chuckled.
“Bossy as ever,” Ashton said with a shake of his head but a proud smile on his face.
Mr. Llewellyn started up again.
Now. If everyone is present, we can begin. I know what y’all are thinking: why is Sophie having a will reading when we all know she’s broke.
Ford guffawed.
But that’s on Holden. If he wasn’t so stingy he would’ve given some money to his dying sister and then I might have something to give y’all. So don’t blame me. It’s Holden’s fault. Just like always.
Holden shook his head, and Silas actually chuckled. Holden was some kind of fancy lawyer up in DC. I wasn’t sure exactly what he did, just that he made good money doingit. I also knew he’d paid some of Sophie’s medical bills this last year. He and Sophie bickered like an old married couple. But I think he cried the hardest when she passed.
Momma and Daddy, I want to start by saying that I love you. I hope you know that.
Jenny was already crying, searching for a tissue in her purse. Mr. Llewellyn handed her one off his desk.
He peered at us over his glasses. “This next part is the meat of why we’re here, so I ask that you let me read all the way through before you interject or ask any questions.” He gave us a second, and when no one spoke, he continued.
Please don’t be hurt by what I’m about to do—but I have to think of Annaleise above anyone or anything else.
My eyes widened. What did that mean? I saw Jenny and Bo exchange a confused look. Anna sat up straight, her hands twisting around each other.
