Getting to know all the staff and what this place looks like in the daylight is a great idea. I also need to stop by my aunt’s house and see where she keeps the financial books. I have a key to a file cabinet from the lawyer, but I don’t know where it is exactly.
“I’ll see you both tomorrow then. Thanks for the tour.” I say goodbye and head for the cab I paid to wait for me. It’s costly but more efficient than calling it back. I knew I wouldn’t be here long.
When I get in the cab, I start a few Google searches. I’m curious what this place originally sold for and what it might go for now. I can’t find specifics, but getting a rundown of the website, the social media accounts, and the typical business methods they use can’t hurt.
Unfortunately, all I find are Google hours—no Instagram account, not even a cheap website. This place is in need of myhelp and a complete makeover. How can we get new customers here if no one even knows it exists? There’s no way they’re relying solely on locals to get them through the year.
By the time I get back to my family’s apartment, I have a better idea of what the orchard looks like. To my surprise, when I open the front door, my parents and some of my aunts and uncles are inside. Thank God I managed to hide my dirty clothes and make the bed before I left. The apartment isn’t big, but it holds my two aunts, three uncles, and my parents.
“Finally! We were waiting for you,” my mother says, hanging up the phone.
“What’s going on?” I tread carefully. I have a good idea this is about the orchard, but I don’t know what exactly. I take off my sneakers and place them by the door, even though everyone else hasn’t bothered to.
“We talked to the family lawyer, and we think there may be a way to get around Benny’s will,” my mother says cheerfully.
“What?” I try not to react too strongly. I don’t want them to think I’m hurting the family. That’s how Benny became the family’s black sheep.
“Your mother found out that if you sign the deed over to your father instead of your mother, we’ll be able to access the land and sell it for three times its worth,” my aunt Sophie adds.
Of course this is about the money.
“I see.” I pause, trying to decide where to go from here.
“Why are you dirty? Did you fall?” my mother asks, looking me over.
Usually, when I’m around them, I make sure there isn’t a hair out of place. It’s something my mother instilled in me from a young age—you can never make a second first impression, so you must always look your best. I glance down and see dirt on my shin and the bottom of my skirt. I must’ve picked it up getting into the cab.
“I was actually just at the orchard. I was curious about the land.” It’s not a complete lie.
“Perfect. What did you think? It shouldn’t take long to get everyone off the property. I think only five or six actually live on the land,” my mother says with a smile.
“I thought we weren’t going to evict anyone?” I frown.
“Well, it might be easier to sell if we didn’t have anyone living on it,” my uncle adds.
“I see,” I repeat. I don’t know how to get what I want without losing my parents’ respect in this moment.
“Would you like us to send you the lawyer’s number so you can set up a meeting? I know you’re headed back to the city tomorrow, but really, the quicker we resolve this, the better. Don’t you think?” my mother asks.
I look around the room at all the eyes on me and sigh. I can’t let them down, but I’m not ready to give up on this either. Aunt Blake left this for me for a reason—something I don’t fully understand yet. But seeing it tonight only cements what I already know: I can’t let it fall into my family’s greedy hands.
“I actually was thinking about looking into the finances, doing some renovations before we sell,” I say quickly. I’m talking out of my ass, but she doesn’t need to know that. “I think there’s quite a bit we could do beforehand and make more than what you said. And we’d want to get the most for this place, right?”
I’m laying it on thick, but that’s what works for my family.
“Hmm, that does make sense. It’s pretty run-down, from what I imagine. But we don’t want you spending too much to fix it up,” my mom says.
“Of course. I’ll budget everything. I just think it could be spruced up before we go for the hard sell,” I say.
I know I’m only buying myself some time, but it’s better than nothing right now.
“You’re right.” My mom smiles.
“It’s smart. Definitely better to sell as an established company than a fixer-upper,” my uncle adds.
I just nod as they start talking about timelines and specifics and everything else. All I know is that I will not be staying here after tonight. There’s no way I’m coming home and being ambushed by my family again. I’ll find somewhere else to stay, even if it’s just temporary.
I have to figure out a way to get the place back to its former glory.
