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Sophie
Friday came fast. When I first arrived in Poplar Falls, I couldn’t wait to leave, and now, I’m sad because it’s almost time to go.
“The will reading is what time today?” Mom asks over the line.
“Soon. We’re leaving for the attorney’s office now.”
“Who all is we?” she asks.
“All of us. Pop, Daddy, Madeline, Aunt Doreen, Aunt Ria, Braxton, and Elle.”
“Us. You’re part of an us now?”
“Mom, please don’t.”
“I was just pointing out how, a few weeks ago, it was them, and now, it’s us.”
“They’re just words, Mom.”
“When is your flight home? Stan and I will pick you up at the airport.”
“Sunday evening. I think I land at nine p.m., but I’ll double-check with Charlotte. She made my reservation.”
“Sunday? Why aren’t you flying home tonight?” she whines.
“Because, Mom, tomorrow is the Halloween Trunk-or-Treat at the church, and I promised Beau I would be Batgirl.”
“Excuse me, what?”
“Trunk-or-Treat. They do it the Saturday before Halloween. Everyone parks in the church parking lot, and they dress up and decorate their trunks. The kids dress up and go from car to car, trick-or-treating. It’s a safe alternative.”
“Who’s Beau?”
“Dallas’s son. I told you about him, remember? He’s going to be Batman, and I promised to be Batgirl and trick-or-treat with him.”
“I see.”
Aunt Ria calls to me from downstairs.
“Mom, we’re leaving. I have to go.”
“All right. Call me when it’s done. I love you, my onliest only.”
We disco
Everyone is waiting in the driveway, and I climb into the truck with Pop and Daddy and Madeline.
We all assemble in the office of De
“Okay, folks, we are here for the formal reading of the last will and testament of one Mrs. Betty Sue Lancaster. I have requested the presence of all of you here today because each of you is mentioned in Mrs. Lancaster’s will. I have a letter that she wished for me to read to you all.”
He waves a sealed envelope in the air. Then, he takes a letter opener from his desk and slides it open. He clears his throat and begins to read aloud.
Dear family,
I guess if De Now, on to the good stuff. You girls divide up my jewelry. Be fair and don’t fight. The thing that mattered most to me was my wedding band, and I’m assuming it’s in the ground with my remains. As far as everything else, Pop gets everything in our accounts, and my share of the ranch will be divided equally among the other seven of you. Donald, my sweetheart, you were the greatest love of my life. Greatest pain in my ass too, but I wouldn’t have traded a single minute of our life together. I’ll keep your side of the bed warm in our mansion in glory. Don’t be in a hurry to join me, sweetheart. I’ll be here when you get here. Maria and Doreen, your momma loved you with her whole heart, but you know that. I am so proud of my girls. Madeline, Braxton, and Elle, you’re as much a part of this family and my heart as anyone else seated here today. Jefferson, my stubborn boy, you’ve been walking around with half a heart for so long. It’s time, son. You’ve protected Vivian long enough. Tell Sophia the truth. Don’t spend one more minute of your life with that chain of regret holding you hostage. Sophia, oh my precious girl, I’m sorry it took my passing to bring you home, but you’re here now. Listen to him, baby girl. It’s time for forgiveness. Now enough of this, I want you all to go live your lives and love each other well until we meet again. Gram He finishes, and then he folds the letter. He returns it to the envelope and gives it to Pop. We all sit there in silence and let her last words sink in. I don’t understand any of it. “What did she mean, it’s time to stop protecting Mom?” I ask to the room in general. “Sophie, darlin’, we should talk about this when we get home,” Daddy whispers without looking at me. I take him in, and the room at large. My aunts’ grim demeanor and looks of concern scare me. What could they possibly be hiding? Panic starts to overtake me. My chest is tight and I can’t catch my breath. I decide I don’t want to know. I want to leave. I want to get on a plane and go home where things make sense. I stand and start toward the door. “Miss Lancaster, I need your signature,” Mr. Phillips calls after me. “No, you don’t. I don’t want it. I don’t want any part of her shares. I don’t want the shares I have. I just want to leave.” I open the door, and I run from the building. I pull my purse up on my shoulder, and I sprint across the road. I have no idea where I am or where I’m headed. I just know I have to go. I get to the next corner before I hear footfalls behind me. I try to keep ru “Don’t,” I yell as he reaches for me. “It’s okay, Sophie,” he says carefully. “No, it’s not okay. I don’t want to hear it. Whatever it is they think I need to know about my mother, I don’t want to know.” He steps closer and takes my bag from my hand. “Why?” “Because I’m scared.” “Of what?” “Being angry with her too. She’s all I have,” I admit before I crumple. He wraps me in his arms. “That’s not true. Not anymore.” I bury my face in his shirt, and I sob. He holds me while I let it all out. “Come on, let’s go home.” When we walk into the house, Madeline is in the living room. She stands as I enter and starts to speak. “Don’t,” I say as I raise my hand to halt her words. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. My mother is not the villain here. You are,” I spit my vile at her. She lowers her head and says nothing as I move to pass her. “Sophia Doreen, you apologize to her,” I hear Daddy’s command as he enters from the kitchen. “No. Why should I? You replaced us. You threw Momma and me away, and you replaced us with her.” “You be angry with me, darlin’. I deserve it. I will take it. But this is her house, and you will show her respect.” I turn quickly and mutter the words, “I’m sorry.” The truth is, I have grown to like Madeline these past few weeks. It’s confusing to both love and hate someone at once. I turn, and with my back to her, I continue addressing Daddy, “I am sorry. I’m going to get my things. I should have never come back here. It was a mistake. I don’t know what I expected. An apology, maybe an explanation. Something. Perhaps I just wanted to see what was so good about them that you would want them instead of me. And I get it now. They’re great. Your family is great.”