The Will
Dalton Page, a high school classmate of Edgar’s, conducted the funeral. He became a Methodist minister and picked up a little extra money on the side as the grange pastor. Hank Somers, the grange president, gave a heartfelt eulogy.
And it was over—in half an hour.
There were about fifty people at the funeral. Edgar greeted folks but was clearly distracted. He attempted to work his way to Gene Francis, the lawyer. He was eager to find out what was in the will.
Edgar brushed past two people on his way to Gene.
“Hello, Edgar,” Gene said, extending his hand.
Edgar shook his hand, wearing an insincere smile. “It’s been ages.”
“How are things going for you?” Gene asked,
“Very good,” Edgar said. “I passed the bar, first try.”
“That’s good,” Gene said.
“It seems like not that long ago when my wife and I were playing cards with your dad and mom. You asked me about being a lawyer. And here you are. Your mom and dad would have been very proud.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Edgar said. “Tom tells me you planned on bringing the will with you. Can we get that over with?”
“Sure,” Gene smiled politely. “Let’s round up Tom.”
Edgar looked around the room. He spotted Tom. He waved anxiously at him to come.
Tom made his way through the guests, stopping a couple of times to receive condolences.
“There’s a room we can use,” Gene said. “I talked to the folks here at the funeral home. They said we could use it without being disturbed.”
Gene led the way to a room that resembled a small living room. They entered the room, and Gene shut the door.
They sat. Tom and Edgar sat on a couch, and Gene sat in a chair.
Gene pulled the will from his inside suit pocket. “Before I read this, I’d like to express my deepest sympathy. I’ve known your mom and dad nearly all my life. We were good friends. They entrusted me with some of the biggest decisions in their lives. In fact, many years ago, your dad asked me if he should propose to your mom.” Gene smiled. “I told him, I’d give him a week, and if he didn’t, I would. Your mom got the best deal. Your dad was one of the finest men I knew. He could have been anything, but he said a farm is the best place to raise a family. Family was everything to him. And your mom, there was no end to her generosity. As you probably already know, there is no one to replace her, not just as your mom, but in this community.”
“Thank you, Gene,” Tom said, pressing back his tears.
Edgar bobbed his head, agreeing. His eyes were fixed on the will.
“Let me read this,” Gene said. “And if you don’t mind, I’ll cut to the quick. I’m sure Edgar is familiar with all the precedent legal verbiage, and I’m equally certain Tom doesn’t want to hear it. However, you can read it later.” Gene cleared his throat. “
“I devise and bequeath both real and personal property, wherever situated, to the following: first beneficiary, all goes to my son, Thomas Bales.”
Gene looked up from the will.
“That’s it!?” Edgar said.
“That’s it,” Gene said.
Edger suddenly wore a sickly smile. He glanced at Tom for a reaction. Tom stared back expressionless.
“There has to be more,” Edgar said.
“There is,” Gene said.
“Well, let’s hear it!” Edgar demanded.
“I hereby direct the executor and sole beneficiary of my will to collect all loans made to my son, Edgar.”
“This is a fraud,” Edgar said. “This will go to court. I’ll appeal it.”
“At your pleasure and at your expense,” Gene said.
“Mom was not in her right mind the last couple of months,” Edgar said.
“The will is dated one year after your dad’s death,” Gene said. “I told her to wait a year. That was my advice. I didn’t want anyone saying she was under some sort of emotional distress when making the will.”
“Tom is eighteen!” Edgar said. “He barely made it out of high school.”
“Everything is held in a trust until Tom is twenty-one,” Gene said. “I’m the trustee. Tom can’t cancel debts or extend them. It is my duty to collect them. The will makes that clear.”
“And a tidy little sum you are collecting,” Edgar spurted.
“If you want,” Gene said, “I can send a monthly statement. And, so we’re clear, I’m not collecting a dime. I waived all fees.”
“This is a joke,” Edgar said. He gave a quick, disgusted look at Gene and then Tom. He smirked and left the room.
