HIM
from falling off my bike and learning to braid my hair as mommies do for their daughters.I can see my dad jumping up and down as I ran out of the DMV the day I received my driver's license, his mouth wide open as I walked down the stairs in my Prom dress, taking me for ice-cream after my first broken heart, and helping me pack my car while tearing up as he hugged me before I left for college.
Chapter Ten
“I devise and bequeath my property, both real and personal and wherever suited as follows:
To my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett, I leave my home at 3891 Oakwood Trail in the City of Baronette, in the State of Wisconsin, and all equity found on and within my property.
My half of the family hunting property in the City of Effie, in the State of Minnesota, with my brother, David Patrick Garrett, to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.
My half of the cabin property on Kawaguesaga Lake in the City of Minocqua, in the State of Wisconsin with Ernie Michael and Gladys Elaine Anderson, to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.
My tools, equipment, scrap metal, and junked cars found in the large pole barn at 2242 Old Highway 15 in the City of Baronette, in the State of Wisconsin, as well as my 1967 Ford Rancho, to Lucas Mitchell Jameson.”
A loud gasp is let out, and Jason gets up from his seat, storming out of the room with his hands clenched in fists. I watch, baffled, as he leaves. Gladys grabs my hand as she closes her eyes, shaking her head in an embarrassing disappointment towards her son. I look over at Luke, who has a tear trickling down his cheek. His hands are clasped together and pressed against his face while he is leaning his elbows on top of the table, looking downward with his brows knitted in a frown. My father must have meant something to him.
"We will now go over Robert's business portion of his last Will and Testament," one of the lawyers' states.
Grabbing another tissue, I look over at Ernie, rocking lightly in his chair while staring at the table. This is not only hard on me, but on everyone who is sitting here. I love them all, and that includes Luke. Astounding as it may be. I feel a sudden connection with him, considering how my dad has included him in his Will. Their relationship, it seems, must have been very close. Almost family like.
“My body shop, known as Rob's Classic Restoration at 1300 Highway 63 and 30th Avenue, in the City of Baronette, in the State of Wisconsin, is free of debt. All expenses and upkeep will be bestowed upon those listed below and will be distributed as follows:
Co-Owners, splitting the profits and losses, will be given to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett, and my lifelong friend, Ernie Michael Anderson.
His son, Jason Robert Anderson, will receive his father's share in the time of his passing.
My friend, Lucas Mitchell Jameson, will receive ten percent of the business as long as he continues to work for Rob's Classic Restoration.
Ernie Michael Anderson and Lucas Mitchell Jameson will take over my business in its entirety with the assistance of my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.”
The lawyers continue with information on how my father wanted to leave his business. I knew he would leave it to Ernie and myself, but Luke too? I can see that my dad considered Luke a friend and trusted him enough to uphold this responsibility. So, shall I. Although, there is something I am surely missing. Jason and Gladys' stories about him don't seem to add up. In two years, my dad made him a part of the family, and I knew nothing about it.
I need to find out more about Luke, and more importantly, about my father's relationship with him. We couldn't be related, could we? Could he be my brother? It wasn't stated before his name in my father's Will that we were of any relation. Oh God, I hope that's not the case as I have been fantasizing about what he looks like naked lately.
I look over at Ernie. He has lost it and is sobbing profusely as Gladys comforts him. Jason has not returned since he stormed out some time ago. My aunt and uncle are sitting calmly listening to the lawyers speak as if they were listening to the church's hymnal. My eyes make their way to Luke again, and he looks like he's ready to lose it.
I get up from my seat, walk over to Luke, and sit down. He looks at me so empathetically. I put my hand on his arm as I continue listening to the lawyers as they finish my dad's Will. Luke places his hand over mine and removes it from his arm. He then grabs it with his other hand bringing both our hands under the table and onto my lap. He interlocks his hand in mine.
I look at him while he's looking at me. We give one another a slight smile then turn towards the lawyers. I feel comfortable with my hand inside his. Please, God, do not let us be related. I would dread for that to be true.
"Last but not least. Robert's final wishes," the lawyer says as he looks around the room at us.
“It is my last Will and Testament, and so I direct, that my remains shall be cremated, and some of my ashes are sprinkled at my hunting property, my cabin, and my shop. For my final resting place, I be placed inside an urn. My remaining ashes enclosed in the urn will be given to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.
This concludes the last Will and Testament of I, Robert Allen Garrett.”
"A copy of Robert's Will is available to you at the front desk on your way out," one of the lawyers says.
The other lawyer notes, "We need everyone involved in Robert's Will to stay and sign documents before heading out."
I let go of Luke's hand and head