Page 27 of Eclipsed Legacy

“I don’t. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot. Besides, often those documents that we’re looking for are in the safe deposit boxes. If you will excuse me for a few minutes, I can make a few phone calls and see what we can do.” She stands, shakes my hand, then indicates for me to step out.

I return to the blue chair and sit for nearly half an hour, occasionally looking back at Colleen’s office. Her blinds are still open, and she’s still on the phone. I watch her hang up before turning around. A few seconds later, she comes out.

“Phew! I apologize for the long wait. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that the contents of the box must still be recorded in the presence of a court clerk or deputy clerk with the executor, and nothing can be removed from the box until then. The good news is that I have a deputy clerk on the way, so you may view the contents when he arrives.”

“Th-Oh my goodness! Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome. He should be here shortly.”

It doesn’t take him long. Richard Nielson, a tall, thin man in his sixties with “thinning” hair, enters a few minutes later in a gray suit. Colleen has me sign some release form, before taking us to a large vault. Inside are rectangles, each labeled with a separate number, lining the walls. She walks until we get to the box labeled 21786. Using the guard key and my key, she opens the box slot. We then follow her to a separate room for viewing its contents, which is where she leaves me and Richard. I open the box, and Richard pulls out a clipboard, quickly scrawling as I remove each item. There’re two sealed envelopes, one with my name on it and one with Uncle Carl’s, along with an unsealed manila folder. I pull out the forms in the unsealed folder first. It’s some official-looking documentation, which Grandma has signed, along with some man named Charles Goodwin, a notary.

“What’s that?” asks Richard. I hand him the document, figuring he would have a better idea of what it is than I would.

“It’s the last will and testament of Raina Ward, dated and notarized two weeks ago. You’re Tala?”

“Yes, sir.”

“She’s named you her executor, so you may take home whatever items you wish. I’ve finished taking inventory— just sign here,” he says, holding out a pen and his clipboard.

I sign and hand it back to him saying, “Thank you.”

He nods, “Good luck to you,” before leaving me.

I skim through the pages of the will. She details various items that go to her children and my cousins, though, I am sure most of the things she’s listed were destroyed in the fire. She’s left the house and her property to me... Damn. I’ve always loved her house and her yard, and even with the house burned, the property is still valuable, but I can’t bring myself to be even slightly happy about this. I’d rather have my grandmother.

I open the envelope with my name on it. I have to tear it because it’s sealed. I pull the contents out, a letter and a necklace. The pendent on the string is a circle with a quadruped carved onto it. It takes me a minute to realize that it’s supposed to be a wolf, as the carving is so dilapidated. I open the letter:

Tala,

If you are reading this, I am dead. My past has caught up with me, or I really have lived to be 90 and died peacefully in my sleep with a bottle of tequila. We both know that last part is unlikely. I have tried to run most of my life, but one can only run for so long. I settled down decades ago because I thought I was finally free. Lately, I’ve been seeing signs, and a bastard as old as I am has probably found me. That’s life, but I’ve kept secrets and too many of them. Because of that, I’ve brought danger here. I am sorry for leaving all of my work and responsibility to you, but when we find ourselves at the end of a road, we count on those we can trust. Even in this letter, I cannot give you the answers that I am sure you seek. Who knows who will find a way to my box? Hopefully, you read this decades from now and it doesn’t make sense. But if it does, or if the danger is real, wear the talisman, and never take it off. It will protect you, mija, and make you a stronger leader.

With love,

Grandma

I put the necklace on and collect the other documents, signing them out and closing the account before I leave. The necklace, or talisman as Grandma called it, brings some comfort. I feel closer to her, consoled of some of my grief. Yet, all of this has only created more questions. I need to get Uncle Carl’s letter to him and find out who the hell was coming after my grandmother.

Chapter 11

After leaving the bank, I make a pit stop at home. I have been up all night, ran through the woods, fought for my life, and searched a burned down building. I need a shower. Yesterday. I plan on washing quickly, but upon finding a twig in my hair, I decide to take it slowly. The water is hot, not so hot as to scald me, but hot enough that I feel clean. I never feel fully washed in a cold shower. The warmth seems to burn away all filth, purging my body of dirt and darkness like a baptism.

Once out of the shower, I dress myself, putting on a pair of jeans and— why not?— a flowery, chiffon blouse. Nothing like torture, death, mayhem, and a few family secrets to make a girl feel extra feminine. I tuck the necklace Grandma left me into my shirt.

The real question at the forefront of my mind is what is up with Ricky? I decide I need to walk the line between trusting my gut and trusting my family by confronting him directly. I’ll lay out all of the evidence and give him the opportunity to explain himself. I already know where he is supposed to be: Mel’s. Despite his being misleading about when he will show up, I know he will have to make an appearance eventually, if he hasn’t already.

Feeling like a real lady for the first time in…well, I don’t know how long, I get into my Honda and drive over to Mel’s.

When I pull up, there are already two vehicles in the driveway, Ricky’s rust bucket and a Chevrolet. As I park, the blue curtains in the front window move. They know I’m here. Good. I place Uncle Carl’s letter from Grandma in my glove compartment before I get out and jog casually up the front steps, trying to remain positive about the conversation I am about to have. Who knows, maybe I can kill two birds with one stone and size up Mel’s boyfriend while I’m at it.

* * *

Mel opens the door as my hand is raised to knock. “Tala?” she says. “What are you doing here?”

“Figured I’d join in, maybe meet your—” I stop as I hear laughter in the living room.

“Well, come on in,” she says, seeming a little annoyed at the intrusion. She steps aside to let me through the doorway. “I’ve got queso blanco and tortilla chips on the coffee table, along with a block of cheddar and crackers. You’ll have to cut the cheddar yourself or wait, though. I haven’t quite finished.”