Page 18 of Meet Me on Greenwood

I caught a glimpse and saw the word rehab in bold letters.

Edgar paused for a moment, then pulled out a piece of paper. "I’m just going to read what your father said. Brittany Cross shall receive her full trust distribution upon successful completion of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Following completion, she will submit to monthly sobriety screenings for a period of three consecutive years and routine therapy. Should she lose sobriety at any point during that period, the process begins again from the start. Should she choose to decline this condition entirely, her portion of the inheritance will be redirected in full to the Young Black Lawyers Association."

He set the paper down. Neither of us said anything as I watched Bri take in the information.

She licked her lips and turned her fiery eyes to me. "And what are your conditions?"

I looked through the folder once more but didn’t find anything.

Edgar cleared his throat. "Gema has no other stipulations. She is free to withdraw as long as she refrains from criminal activity."

Bri looked down at her folder once more.

"There is one more thing, Edgar said, pulling out a wooden box.

"Is it at least valuable?" Bri asked in disgust.

He looked unsure of how to answer that. "It is one of a kind, impossible to appraise. I assure you, I tried."

He lifted the lid and pulled out a worn leather pouch that held markings on the outside. I went to reach for it, but Bri snagged it first, looking confused as she pulled out a necklace with a silver backing and a black, jewel-like stone set inside. I recognized it immediately.

"Mother’s necklace," I gasped. "I thought she’d been wearing it when she…" I couldn’t finish the sentence.

"An amulet," Edgar confirmed. "An heirloom from your mother. Apparently, it has been passed down to the women in the family."

"What are we supposed to do with it?" Bri asked. "It’s too ugly to wear."

Edgar pulled out another sheet of paper. "You can do anything you want with it, except sell it. Your mother insists it stays in the family."

"I remember photos of mother wearing it," I said. There were such few photos of her. Father had ridden the house of them when she’d died. I’d only managed to save a few.

"What do you mean we can’t sell it?" Bri asked. "There are two of us. How do we split it?"

Edgar adjusted his bifocals. "It says here per your mother’s instructions, Gema is to have it first and when it is time—apologies that is not language I would have encouraged—your mother passed before I could give my input, but when it is time, the amulet passes to Gema’s children."

Bri stood suddenly, lightning flashing behind her as rain suddenly fell against the windowpane. "Even in death," she whispered tossing the amulet to me. She looked to Edgar. "I need a drink. Is there a bar still on the top floor?"

He looked stunned. "Well yes, but—"

"Great!" she said and stormed out.

I gave Edgar an apologetic look as I grabbed the amulet and walked out. I followed Bri to the elevator as she pressed at the buttons impatiently.

"Bri, wait! You can have it. This is not worth fighting about," I said offering it to her.

She slapped my hand away as the elevator dinged open. "As if that stupid thing is what this is about."

I followed her in before she could close the doors on me. "Wait, Bri!" I called as she pressed the top button 20. The elevator made a quick ascent. "You will lose everything if you continue this way."

"Fuck the inheritance," she said. "I don’t need his money. I’ve been doing just fine on my own." The elevator made a final ding of arrival before opening. Bri ran out. I followed and we both realized too late that we’d gone too far. The elevator opened to a roof where a pool sat in open sky, its surface broken by rain.

I reached to close the elevator doors, but Bri pushed past, so I pressed the button to keep the doors open until a harsh sound rang out.

"Bri, come back!"

Bri ventured further, shirt soaking up the rain as she dipped her toe into the watery depths. She turned back to laugh at me.

"What is so funny? This is dangerous."