“Who are you supposed to be?” Thomas asked icily as he entered the lawyer’s office. Mr. Goldberg was getting ready to read Teresa Finkle’s will, and her sons, Thomas and Walter, had finally arrived, expecting a substantial inheritance. As a way to alleviate her loneliness, she rented out a portion of her home to a single mother and her young daughter, who eventually became more like family to her than her own flesh and blood. When she passed away, she left them everything she owned, with the exception of one last item she purposefully set aside for her sons, leaving them astounded.
Both of them had left home when they were eighteen and had never returned. They showed little interest in their mother when their father passed away, and Teresa simply wished for sporadic visits or an invitation to see their relatives, but those calls never materialized.
Eventually, Grace, a single mother, and her teenage daughter Katherine moved in with Teresa. Teresa was upstairs, and they stayed in the first-floor spare rooms.
Neither she nor her kids ever inquired about them. When Teresa became ill, they didn’t even show up. At least she was surrounded by two people who truly loved her, even though she passed just a few months later without ever seeing her sons again.
Grace and Katherine were in Mr. Goldberg’s office when Thomas and Walter arrived.
That’s Grace Harris and Katherine, her daughter, Thomas. For many years, they rented a portion of your mother’s home,” the attorney clarified.
What? Walter sneered, “Mother never said anything.”
Katherine muttered under her breath, “As if you ever called,” but Grace gently reprimanded her.
“Anyway. Let’s settle down and get this over with. We’re going to sell that house quite quickly, so you two will need to move out soon enough,” Thomas stated, settling into a chair and grinning knowingly at his brother.
Although the house wasn’t a mansion, the value of real estate in their Montanan hamlet had increased. If they were clever with purchasers, they could obtain half a million dollars. However, since they were receiving their mother’s substantial savings, they most definitely wouldn’t require it.
Calm down, Thomas. Mr. Goldberg, who nearly shook his head at the avarice of two grown men who had neglected their mother so severely, stated, “Grace and Katherine are also part of the will, and you need to respect them because your mother valued them.”
The brothers stopped smiling when Mr. Goldberg finished reading Teresa’s will. She had left them one dollar each, so they wouldn’t be able to contest her decision. But everything else went to Grace and Katherine. The lawyer also disclosed that Teresa had discreetly deposited all the money Grace paid in rent. She had not spent a dollar and wanted Katherine to use it for education.
Together with her daughter, the single mother sobbed joyfully. However, the brothers rose, yelling in rage.
“Your mother’s will is this. One dollar is far more than you deserve because she told us EVERYTHING about you, and you will respect that. And if I may get a bit personal, you two didn’t attend the funeral.
Walter said, “You quack, you’re going to hear from our OWN lawyer shortly! We will receive our money. After giving them a scornful glance, Thomas left behind his brother.
“Don’t be concerned about them. Mr. Goldberg reassured Grace, “Call me and the police right away if they get close to you,” and they both left for their homes.
Grace was overjoyed that she wouldn’t have to move out because she couldn’t possibly find a place with such cheap rent. Now, however, they were almost wealthy. They might never have to worry about money because Katherine’s future was predetermined. The only people they had to be concerned about were Walter and Thomas, who one day showed up at her home.
“I’m not scared to report you two to the police. Leave. Since we were Teresa’s family more than you were, this is now our home and has been for years. Grace warned the men.
Thomas inhaled deeply. We’re not here to fight, listen. We wanted to get a few of our belongings, and I know Mom never changed our rooms. Will you let us do that?”
Grace frowned at his friendly demeanor but didn’t see an issue. “All right,” she said, “but hurry up.”
Thomas shoved Walter into the home when he scowled at the remark, and they proceeded upstairs.
“All right, what can we do?” When they arrived at his former bedroom and shut the door, Walter questioned Thomas.
We must discover proof that the woman deceived our mother and persuaded her to alter her will. We’ll need to speak with her and document it,” Thomas clarified while surveying his bedroom.
His attention was abruptly drawn to an envelope on his bed. Walter opened it and saw that it was addressed to both of them.
You have no right to try to steal anything from Katherine and Grace! You were too good to spend time with me in previous decades, so you don’t deserve a dime of my money. Your father’s inheritance is already yours. That is more than sufficient. My only family consisted of that woman and her daughter. When I was sick, they took care of me. They joined me in celebrating Christmas.
They joined me in celebrating Christmas. They loved me as much as I loved them, and we ate dinner together every night.
You two are my sons now. I’m your mother. I shall always adore you with all my heart. However, I hope you never have to endure the suffering I did. I pray you never get the same treatment from my grandchildren as you did from me. Lastly, I hope this teaches you something. Be better.
After reading, Walter glanced up at his brother, and Thomas remarked, “Let’s go.”
She didn’t know why they changed their behavior or why they were visiting her now, but perhaps they learned from this difficult lesson. They waved good-bye to Grace and never came near her again, only catching a glimpse of the boys each year on the anniversary of Teresa’s death when they would visit her grave.