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“Mr. Monroe, what a surprise to see you here this fine morning,” Callie announces.
“Good morning, everyone. Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I’m here on behalf of Mr. O’Connell.” I look at Aiden who shrugs. “I’m here on behalf of Niall O’Connell,” he corrects himself. “When he was first diagnosed with dementia, he came to me to draw up a new will. His doctors informed him he had fast onset and that he would deteriorate quickly. He was also told that he didn’t have a lot of time to get his affairs in order. I was instructed that under no circumstances was I to change his will even if he requested it at a later date. Niall knew he needed to be of sound mind, and that the deterioration of his brain would affect the way he’d wanted his affairs to be dispersed. I have his updated last will and testament for you to hear,” he declares, pulling out some papers from his briefcase.
Silence fills the room as everyone looks at each other.
“Sarah, Chris, c’mon, let’s give them some space,” my mom says, and they get up and leave the room.
Jenson takes a seat and starts to read, “I, the undersigned, Niall Patrick O’Connell, residing at 1 Burdette Lane, in the city of Mornington Vale, born on June 2, 1950, make my last will and testament as follows…
“I hereby expressly revoke all other wills, codicils, and legacies predating the present will.
“I wish to be buried in the family plot at the Mornington Vale Cemetery.
“I wish to leave assets to the following individuals named hereinafter, in the following proportions…
“To my son, Aiden Niall Patrick O’Connell, born March 22, 1984, I hereby leave to you my business and assets from O’Connell Finance, and therefore leave the running of said business to you, in conjunction with the named business in Tokyo, Japan.”
Aiden nods like he already knew this was the case but glances at me with a weak smile.
“To my son, Killian Patrick Morgan O’Connell, born November 25, 1986, I hereby leave to you my lake house in Valley Springs along with its contents and assets to do with as you see fit.”
Jenson continues, “To my daughter, Brielle Callie Eleanor O’Connell, born January 31, 1988, I hereby leave to you my main place of residence being 1 Burdette Lane in the city of Mornington Vale. Its contents and assets are left to you to do with as you see fit.
“To my wife, Callie Anne O’Connell, born August 26, 1955, I hereby leave you the sum of fifteen million dollars to be placed into your personal savings account on signing of this will and testament.”
Callie gasps, and swallows hard as she scrunches her face like she had no idea that was coming.
“I leave the sum of money deposited in my personal bank account, including term deposits and shares to be divided equally between the following,
“Eleanor Mary Edwina O’Connell, mother, born August 3, 1929, for 25%.
“Aiden Niall Patrick O’Connell, son, born March 22, 1984, for 25%.
“Killian Patrick Morgan O’Connell, son, born November 25, 1986, for 25%.
“Brielle Callie Eleanor O’Connell, daughter, born January 31, 1988, for 25%.
“All funeral expenses and outstanding exports of funds are to be paid by my insurances upon the event of my death.
“I hereby leave a few words to my family.”
Jenson tenses glancing up, then clears his throat and looks back down at the papers in front of him. “I knew something was wrong with me when I didn’t know where I was. The house I was in was empty, no one was there except for me, and I couldn’t understand why. Then I remembered. I went to the doctor, had some tests done, and they told me I had a fast onset form of dementia. I kept it from you all as I didn’t want to admit I was sick.”
We all shift uncomfortably listening to Niall’s admissions. “While I still had normal brain function, I made this will and testament, so I knew that everything would be taken care of in the event of my brain failing before my body. I herein leave these parting words to the people I hold most dear.
“To my mother, Eleanor. I know I have been a hard son, but every day of my life I loved you the way a son should. You were the one who kept me sane through the years, and I’ll always remember and respect you for that. Mother, I love you.”
I swallow a lump in my throat as I look at Nana who has tears rolling down her pale face. Callie puts her arm around her as she also wipes a tear from her cheek.
“To Aiden, my boy… I know I’ve raised you with tough love so you’ll be strong and resilient in times of crisis, and to be the best you can be in your field. I’m sorry for riding you so hard all these years, but I felt with the right push, you would become an expert, which, of course, you have, and for that, I’m truly proud. I know leaving the business to you will only help it grow. I’m the proudest father in the world when I look at what you have accomplished.” Jenson hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck. “But it’s my hope, son, that you come to your senses and do not marry her. Believe me son, it’ll be your downfall.”
I look at Aiden, and he’s scowling.
Well, fuck me! The old bastard couldn’t resist to get one more jab in even after his death. Aiden’s father is still trying to get rid of me from his grave. I smile on the inside knowing that asshole will never get his wish.
“To my son, Killian, what can I say? We’ve definitely had our ups and downs, but just because I don’t agree with your lifestyle choices, doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. Thank you for pushing and making me see the world a little differently.”
Guess that’s not the ‘I apologize for being a moron,’ I was expecting, but Killian seems fine with it.
