“I know.” I sober. “Listen, I need time to let this all settle. I’ve got a job and life to get back to in LA.” I grab my phone to check the time.
“Read your mother’s letter before you decide anything.”
“Decide what?” I look up at him and my stomach drops. I know the expression on his face well. It’s his “I’m going to enjoy watching this” face.
I have a sick feeling that I’m not going to make my flight after all.
Chapter Nine
Kwame
The Request
Three hours later, I stumble into my hotel room at The Salamander. I canceled my flight but drew the line at staying at The Palms.
Finally alone, I read my mother’s letter.
My darling Kwame,
There’s a saying that “A man never steps in the same river twice. For he is not the same man, and it is not the same river.”
I knew, when I asked you to come back to The Palms for the reading, it was asking you to come to a place you only associate with disappointment and pain.
I hope, now that you are here you remember the good things, too.
The money I left you is more than a fortune.
It’s my legacy.
It will also be yours.
To whom much is given, much is expected. So I am going to ask you to do three things for me. None of them are easy and all of them will require some sacrifice.
The money is yours whether you heed my wishes or not.
My hope is that in carrying them out, you finally understand what it truly means to be a Palmer.
First, I want you to move back to DC and work for thefirm your father founded for a minimum of a year. If it’s not what you want, you have my blessing to go back to the life you’ve chosen in California.
Secondly, if you can’t move back to The Palms, I’d like you to make the house I left you your home.
Your father is going to need the support of his son as he grieves my loss. Please be there for him. Even if he doesn’t deserve it.
Third, I want you to keep what you find in the safe deposit box to yourself. Your father, especially, must not know. Hand deliver the package to the family without opening it. And if they invite you, stay for dinner. They have a daughter I think you’ll like.
I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t say it more often and that I didn’t try harder to bring you home.
Live a life that lets you sleep well at night. Use your wealth to make a difference.
Love,
Mummy
Three Months Later
Arlington, VA
Chapter Ten
