Chapter Two #3
On Monday morning after breakfast, we drove to Mr. Gunderson’s office in Seattle near Pike Place Market.
Parking was always a nightmare in the city, so we were relieved to find his building had an attached garage.
We were greeted by his receptionist who validated our parking then led us to the conference room.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” Mr. Gunderson greeted us as he entered the room and shook our hands.
He sat across from us and slid a box across the conference table to me. “Charlie, this was left to me by your father with instructions to deliver it to you upon his death.”
His death.
The two words that have haunted these last couple of weeks.
I nodded and opened it, pulling out the letter that sat on top of the tissue paper covering the contents. I unfolded it, took a deep breath and readied myself to read my father’s written words.
My dearest Charlie,
If you’re reading this letter, it means my time on earth has come to an end. Not a day has gone by since your mother left us that I haven’t missed her. I’ve spent the last two decades trying to find a way to have prevented her death, only to end up causing my own.
In this box, you will find my most treasured possession aside from you. I implore you, Charlie, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Live life to its fullest and use the magic of this watch wisely. For it can bring you hope or add to your heartache.
Please know how very proud I am of the man you’ve become.
You, Charlie, were my greatest creation, and I regret the time I spent away from you endlessly searching for something that could never be.
I love you more than you will ever know, but please understand that I’m now at peace as I’m finally reunited with my one true love, your mother.
Your loving father,
Henry
Tears streamed down my face as I handed the letter to Alex.
Mr. Gunderson handed me a box of tissues and after I wiped my face, I checked to see what else the box held.
The only item in there was an antique pocket watch.
I turned it around, looking for an inscription or manufacturers stamp, but found nothing, so I assumed it was a family heirloom that had been passed down by my ancestors for it to have held such a level of importance to my father.
“Charlie,” Mr. Gunderson began, “everything your grandmother had was left to your father, and as the only surviving family member, it’s now yours.
Inside this folder is all the information you’ll need to secure what rightfully belongs to you.
Please accept my condolences and know that if you have any legal matters that need attending, I’m here to help.
Your father was a good man and a dear friend.
” He stood and handed me the manila envelope.
“I’ve taken the liberty of filing all the assets in your name, per your father’s last request.”
“Do you want to stop somewhere and eat or pick up?” Alex asked during our drive home.
“Sorry, I’m not very hungry,” I mumbled, staring at the brown box in my lap.
I went straight upstairs when we got home and put the box on the desk in my father’s room, leaving everything in there to deal with another day.
One where I’d be brave enough to face it.
I changed and parked myself on the couch to sift through the folder with all the legal documents Mr. Gunderson had given us.
“What’s in there?” Alex asked as he sat beside me.
“The deed to my grandmother’s house and my father’s and grandmother’s bank account information, but nothing more.” No one in my family was wealthy, so none of this came as a surprise to me.
“We can go to the bank tomorrow and get that sorted. At least the house is already in your name,” Alex said.
“I want it to be in both our names.” For some reason, that surprised him. “Do you have a problem with being on the deed?”
“No, but isn’t that something that would be reserved for a spouse?” he questioned.
“Alex, I know I’ve never formally accepted your proposal, but we’re in this together.
Just because I’m not ready to get married doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with you.
” The discussion of marriage was becoming a sore topic for me.
I knew it shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it did, and I didn’t doubt Alex’s love for me, but having watched so many marriages around us fail left me with no desire to rush into our own.
I knew getting married was important to Alex.
Unfortunately, I didn’t understand what all the fuss was over a stupid piece of paper, and I wasn’t in the right state of mind to debate it with him.
But I couldn’t leave those sad hazel eyes, the ones I trusted above all others, as they were.
Mentally scolding myself, I swallowed my pride and followed him into the office.
“Honey,” I said, walking up to the chair where he just sat and turned him to face me. “I love you more than life itself. I know you really want to get married, but I don’t see what the big deal is.” Fuck, the look on his face told me I should’ve chosen my words more wisely.
“I guess it means more to me than it does to you.” He stared at the floor, nervously rubbing his hands together.