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"Can't you be well-behaved and focused like Ava," they’d said whenever he got in trouble again. It felt weird how much her words had actually comforted him—especially considering they came from Ava Burns.
Benjamin turned to his left and then the right to search for his mother who he finally spotted through a window inside the house. She had already escaped the rain with a few friends and was sharing another glass of wine with them in the living room.
“The museum, huh?” he mumbled to himself as the rain drenched every inch of him. He searched for his car keys in his pocket and walked over to his car.
“I must be crazy…”
But just as he was about to open the door and get in, he heard his name.
“Benjamin,” Walter called out, waving his hand as he walked briskly over to the car.
For some reason seeing the man made him feel sad again, remembering those days when his grandfather would have long meetings with him in the study while Benjamin was hiding underneath his table. Of course, his grandfather knew he was there, but he always pretended not to.
“Leaving already?” Walter asked.
Before Benjamin could say anything, the lawyer cut in.
“Do you have a moment? We have a serious matter to discuss.”
Benjamin frowned. “Can’t it wait? I mean, I was on my way to the… never mind. Is it that urgent?”
Walter nodded.
“I am really sorry,” he said with a deep sigh, his shoulders heaving, his face drawn into sadness. “I will miss your grandfather too. But it’s out of respect for him that we need to organize an appointment immediately, just as he had wished.”
Ben drew his brows tightly together and closed the door of his car. “An appointment? What for?”
“The reading of your grandfather’s will.”
A loud thunderclap coincided with those words. Grandpa’s will. He felt his heart thump fast. His grandfather was truly gone – granted, the funeral had been a big indication of that; but somehow he’d thought it’d all turn out to be a nightmare he’d eventually wake up from. But now his inheritance was about to be officially handed to him. It came with a mixed feeling of elation and sadness, but he tried not to dwell on the elation part.
There was also that slight fear creeping into his mind; fear of not being able to live up to his grandfather’s standards. It clawed at the inner reaches of his mind, so he did what he mostly did in situations like that, ignored it.
“Benjamin…” Walter said as his face softened.
“Yes… I’m sorry. Any time works for me.”
“Alright, tomorrow then. Get some rest. Make sure your mother is available. We need everyone present.”
Benjamin blinked. “Everyone? You mean my mother and I?”
Walter gave a half nod and then patted his arm. “See you tomorrow.”
Benjamin got back into the car and shut the door, feeling the rich leather give slightly under his weight. He took off his soaking wet coat and tossed it in the back, heedless of damaging the interior, his eyes on the windshield. Everything seemed blurry from inside the car. Staring through the rain pattering on the glass, it felt like he was staring through a portal into another world where gloom and sadness reigned supreme. He started the car.
“Museum,” he smiled faintly. It was weird… just like Ava. But what else would he do? His so-called friends would just want to try to convince him to go clubbing and the other option would be watching his mother and her obnoxious friends get drunk. He wanted to be alone but not lonely, if that even made sense.
It did to Ava Burns. So, the museum it was.
There was an eerie feel to the atmosphere inside his grandfather’s study the following day. When Benjamin walked in, he had to stop at the door for a moment to take in a slow, deep breath. It almost felt like when he opened that door, he may see his grandfather sitting at his chair by the window, book in hand. Of course, Elijah wasn’t there, and never would be again.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” he apologized and took a seat beside his mother, avoiding her gaze.
Walter, sitting behind his grandfather’s desk, had his glasses perched on his nose, his lips pursed in all seriousness as he nodded slowly.
“That’s alright. We are still waiting anyways.” Ben and Lucy exchanged confused looks.
“Aren’t we all here?” he glanced at his mother, not sure who to direct his question to. Almost immediately, somebody knocked on the door. Benjamin couldn’t have jerked his head any faster to watch the door open. Neither could his face have contorted any harder when he saw who walked in. His mother let out a loud cry, almost as if she was the next to depart this world forever.
