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“Leave my mom alone. Leave the company alone. Leave me alone. Just go away.”
I want to tell her it’s the reverse. That her mommy should leave me alone, just accept the new world order. They all should. But instead, I say, “Why don’t you grab your stuff and get on your way? Now.”
“Sure,” she says and hurries down the hall. A couple of minutes later, she’s carrying a corkboard pinned with photos, concert tickets, memorabilia from a perfect high school life. The spoiled brat doesn’t have any idea how good she has it. She should make sure she has everything she wants from this house, my house. I’ll destroy anything she leaves here.
Ashlyn heads toward the front door and I follow behind, fuming. Here’s the thing—the line between love and hate is so thin. So very precarious. I loved her. I thought we would be a family, the three of us.Silly dreams, Tish.I shake my head.
She stops and turns around. “It’s so hot in here. I don’t know how you deal.”
“I can’t control it. I don’t know where your dad’s phone is. I know there are apps on it. I’m not stupid.” I am, however, yelling. I take a deep breath. That outburst made me sound like an idiot.
“Well, then, I guess you aren’t dealing.” Ashlyn laughs as she walks out the door.
It takes every part of me not to slam the door after her. I march into the kitchen and make a call to Uncle George.
“Hello, sugar pie.” George answers after only one ring. “I took care of the little princess’s car for you.”
“I know, thank you. She’s bruised, her arm’s hurt, but otherwise, she’s fine. I like the warning,” I say. “She still had the nerve to come over here tonight.”
“Gutsy. What did she want?” George asks.
“She said she wanted her stuff from her room, but I think she also was snooping. There wasn’t anything for her to find. Did you deal with my momma?”
“Yes, she understands if she talks to anyone up there again, it won’t turn out well for her. She does want to talk to you,” George says.
“Never.” I shake my head. “I can’t find John’s phone.”
“I don’t know why you need his phone when you have a perfectly good one of your own.” George chuckles. “Getting greedy again are we, Tish?”
“I am not greedy. I’m worried he might have texted people the night he died, I have no idea what photos he sent or to who.”
“If there was anything, you’d know by now. The wife and the daughter, they would have come after you. But they didn’t. You’re all good, but actually you’re all bad.” Now he’s laughing, a big-belly annoying sound. I think he just snorted.
“Stop it. This isn’t funny. I need to get to the photos on there. They could be incriminating.”
George pulls himself together. “Listen, sugar. Forget about his phone. They can’t touch you or they would have made a move already. You have everything you need, and then some. Call a tech company, and they’ll come sort your house out. You sound frantic. What are you afraid of?”
I’m afraid of being poor again. I’m afraid of being discovered as a fraud. I’m afraid I’m not good enough, just like my momma always said.
“Nothing. You’re right. Ashlyn says my house belongs to her. She’s wrong, right?” I ask George. I can’t believe I let her get under my skin.
“I haven’t heard that one, sugar,” George says.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “I’m fine. Everything is good. I don’t have anything to hide.”
“That’s not true, sugar.” George gives a big laugh. He’s known me almost all my life. “I still see you reaching into my office candy jar,taking more than one piece, thinking you were getting away with something. So cute. Anyhoo, the good news is the will was filed before John croaked, so it makes it even harder to contest once the state has put a stamp of approval on it.”
Contest? “They can’t challenge it, can they?”
“Just got an electronic notification. An attorney for Ashlyn Nelson already filed on her behalf. But don’t worry, you’re in good shape. Get some sleep. You sound cranky.”
“What? That bitch was just here, at my house. That’s impossible. She has the nerve to file a lawsuit?” I’m astounded. “How did she do this?”
“Whoa, sugar. You would do the same thing if you were in her shoes. Remember, the new will cuts her out entirely, and she’s the only direct heir. I advised keeping her in, but you said no. And you’re the boss. I suppose the princess hired herself a lawyer.” George laughs again.
He did warn me I was being greedy. But now that she’s shown her true colors, I’m glad. “Screw her. We’re still fine, right?”
“You’re in great shape.” He’s still laughing.
