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Savannah sat down on the loveseat and Jackson cautiously sat beside her, almost afraid to touch her. Fortunately, she wasn’t feeling the same because she reached over and rested her hand on his thigh. But before he could put much thought into it, his aunt was speaking.
“There was a reason I had the visitation schedule in place this last week,” she said. “There were lawyers who needed to come in and notaries and it was important to Cash that things be settled in the best way possible. He didn’t want some stuffy reading of his will by a lawyer; he asked that we—Susannah and myself—be the ones to handle it.”
“So, wait,” Garrett said. “You’re reading his will?”
“Actually, he’s reading it,” Susannah said. “He made a video for all of you.”
Savannah’s hand gripped his thigh harder and he simply took her hand in his and held on as they all looked at the large flat screen TV.
Then, right there before them, sat Cash. He was sitting in what used to be Pops’ office here in the house, and Jackson could only assume his aunt used it for the same purposes.
“Hey,” he began, his voice a little gravelly. “So…yeah, if you’re seeing this, then I’m gone.” He paused and then chuckled a little. “How clichéd is that, huh? I always thought people who did this kind of thing were a little weird, but hey, I think we can all agree that I’m weird too, so…here I am. Coming to you from the beyond.”
He laughed again and, fortunately, so did everyone else.
“I spent a lot of years not thinking about this day. In my mind, I was going to go in my sleep with no one around to care. But then I got sick and realized what was important. Maybe it was selfish of me to come back once I got the diagnosis. After all, that was putting a lot on all of you when you had more than likely washed your hands of me years ago. The reality is that I know it was selfish, but I needed to make things right. Savannah and Henry taught me that and I’m sorry that it took friends to do what family couldn’t.”
Savannah squeezed his hand and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I think we’ve had some good talks in the last several weeks and I’d like to think we said all that there was to say. I’m thankful for the time I got to spend with each of you individually. I love that I got to be there to see Garrett and Emma get married and…who knows, maybe by the time you see this I will have gotten to meet my first grandbaby.” He smiled sadly. “Even if I didn’t, I’m sure she’s beautiful. Or he…I’m just saying.”
They all laughed softly again.
“Georgia’s going to give you each an envelope. One for Austin, one for Garrett, one for Jackson, and one for Savannah.” He paused. “Grace and I talked long and hard about all of this, so you all need to know that she’s good with what I’m about to tell you.”
Jackson held the envelope in his free hand and he had a feeling he knew what this was.
“The last time I was home, I received an inheritance from your great-grandfather and then…I left town with it. Well…it was in the bank all this time, but…you know what I’m saying. I’ve already explained the situation and I’m not looking for understanding or even forgiveness. I made a decision and I’ve had to live with it. In those envelopes is the money that I promised to each of you.”
It seemed to occur to all of them simultaneously that the envelope in Savannah’s hand was the one that was originally going to Grace.
“I know Grace is sitting right there and can probably explain it better, but…she needs nothing from me. Her words, not mine,” he quickly amended. “Austin, pay off the house you just built or put the money into a college fund for the baby or just go wild and take your family on a trip around the world!”
Everyone looked at Austin and he smiled sadly.
“Garrett, I failed you the most because you were relying on me to get your clinic. I know that a lot of people stepped up and helped you out, but I hope the money gives you the freedom to either pay them back or maybe make some updates and get some new equipment to help all the pets of Magnolia Sound. I’m proud of you, G.”
Garrett’s expression mirrored Austin’s.
“Jackson.” Pausing, he sighed. “I didn’t get to see you the last time and I feel like I missed out on the most with you. I’m blown away that a son of mine was brave enough to become a Marine and serve our country. I’m in total awe of you.” He nodded. “I hope this money gives you some peace of mind so you can take the time you need to figure out what you want to do.” Then he grinned. “Or maybe use it to buy a house with a beautiful girl.”
“Aww…” his brothers said in unison, and Jackson felt his cheeks grow hot.
“Savi…I pray you’re sitting there and didn’t bolt like I know you wanted to,” he said solemnly. “I promised your dad that I’d look after you and I failed him. And you. These last few weeks, I’ve seen you smile more than I have in all the years we’ve known each other. Hold on to that happiness with both hands because—as we both know—it doesn’t always last. Be happy and know that your father wanted the world for you. He just didn’t know how to do it all.”
Beside him, Savannah was sobbing quietly, and he put his arm around her and held her close.
“Use the money to do something just for you,” Cash went on. “But hopefully that’s something like a new car or a big ass shopping trip. Please don’t use it to run, baby girl. By bringing you to Magnolia Sound…or, um…Laurel Bay, I was trying to give you something that your father and I couldn’t. A family. A really big one. Sure, they can be pains in the asses—no offense, Georgia—but there isn’t a better group of people alive.”
She clutched the front of his shirt and Jackson felt like he was on the verge of tears too.
“I mean it, everyone. I wish I hadn’t taken for granted all the love and memories we all had. Thank you for taking me back in for this last leg of my journey and making me realize just how lucky I was. This isn’t a goodbye; it’s an I’ll see you later.” He got choked up and his eyes welled with tears. “Be good to each other.” Then, after a little wave, the screen went black and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
It took a few minutes before anyone spoke, and then it was Susannah. She gently cleared her throat and dabbed at her eyes before addressing them all. “So, um…yeah. We filmed that after Garrett and Emma’s wedding. We were all sitting here after everyone left and Cash said, ‘Hey, let’s make a video will!’ Of course, we thought he was joking, but the next thing we knew, he was setting himself up in the office and Colton was filming.” She looked at all of them. “And I have to agree. It was far better than letting a lawyer read off of a legal document.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“I think we all already knew that he wanted to be cremated,” she went on. “And he requested a full Coleman family party to be held here at the house.”
