“It meansMotherthat everything was already done by the time I got here.I didn’t have a thing to do with any arrangements whatsoever.It also means that it’s the reason why and how it happened so quickly.”
Marlene went back to reading her father’s will.
“Moving on,” Mr.Brown folded back the first page.“For Mrs.Marlene Carolyn Meadows, now...Sloane, Mrs.Mattie Mae Puckett bequeaths,” he said nodding to Marlene, again clearing his throat, “She is to have possession of all the artwork in the dining room of the diner and all artwork in the apartment above said diner, but not the photo, dollar bill, or newspaper clipping behind the cash register.They are to remain with the diner.”
“What?”Marlene was out of her chair in a split second, still holding her father’s will.“That crap?It’s worth nothing.Every bit of it is dime-store junk!”
“Mrs.Meadows...Sloane, I am only following the wishes of your mother.You may read it for yourself if you’d like, but first, may I please continue with the rest of it?I can even make sure you have a copy if you’d like.”
Marlene sat, not even pretending to read her own father’s will any longer.
“Very well.”Mr.Brown again pushed his glasses into place.“All other property, possessions, including any and all monies are to be left to her grandson—”
Marlene stood once again.“This is outrageous!I will contest!”
“That is definitely your prerogative, Mrs.Meadows, sorry,Sloane.However, I must tell you, that this Last Will and Testament of your mothers is pretty ironclad as she wanted, and I have to go by what my clients want.I am sure you understand.You were mentioned in the will, and you did receive what your mother wanted you to have.Seeing as you haven’t seen your mother is over eleven years, you would have a very hard time having this overturned,” he said as he tapped the document in front of him.“Shall I continue?”
When Marlene said nothing, her hands clenched, a look of hatred written on her face, Mr.Brown continued, “All other property, possessions, including any and all monies are to be bequeathed to her grandson, Jamie Pierre Puckett Throneaux.”
Jamie looked at Marlene and had to laugh.The look on her face was priceless.“Did you not think that I would find out eventually, dear Mon Mère?”Marlene sat there with her mouth open, eyes wide.
“Oh yes, I know Jean-Claude Throneaux is my father.I’ve met him numerous times now.I’ve been to visit him in Paris, and he has visited me as well.”Jamie leaned over slightly.“I would also like you to know that he has never spoken an ill word against you, even though you refused him visitation to get to know his own son.I am fairly certain that is one of the reasons why you pushed me off onto Mamaw and Papaw, not to mention I was only in the way of yournewfamily.”He stood erect.“By the way, how is my dear half-sister, Charlotte?”
Chapter Five
“But...how?”Marleneasked, barely above a whisper.
“I kept asking who my father was and Mamaw finally broke down and told me when I was thirteen.All those years wasted.Time I could have had a father, and you took that from me.Took that fromhim.”
Marlene had the decency to look somewhat ashamed, he checks blushing as she chewed her bottom lip, but it didn’t last long.She stood up.“Mr.Brown, I would like a copy of that document,” she said pointing to the one in front of the attorney.She opened her purse and produced a card.“Here are my contact details.Please, do call me so that I may give you the name, address, and telephone number of myownattorney.”
Jamie’s mother looked at him.“Will you please let me pass?”She asked none too politely.
Jamie opened the door and let her leave.He smiled as he turned back to Mr.Brown.“I have to say, I was expecting exactly that from my mother.”
Mr.Brown chuckled.“As was your grandmother.I think you should close that door.There’s a lot I’ve got to go over with you unless you’d rather wait and come by the office?”
