In order for the whole family to show up at the same time, either a pile of money would have had to be thrown in front of them, or someone had to die. That day both were fulfilled.
I stood in the cemetery and watched as my grandmother’s coffin was slowly lowered into the ground. I held Berta’s leash tightly. The dog pulled forward as if she wanted to go after her.
Berta was my grandmother’s loyal companion. She brought her home when I was a child, and she always said: “Berta is the only one I trust unconditionally.”
My grandmother was a good person, even if somewhat eccentric. She earned a lot of money in her life, but she never gave a single penny to her children or grandchildren. Instead, she paid for all of our education. According to her, a person has to build their own life – just as she did.
That is why my mother, Uncle Jack, Aunt Florence, and my cousins had not looked for her for years. Yet now they were all standing there. I knew why. Because of the money.
In the last six months, I moved in with her because she became seriously ill. I worked as a nurse and cared for her beside that. It was not easy, but I did not regret it.
Once, when I received a huge car repair bill, I complained to her.
“I don’t know how I will pay it.”
YOU ARE A STRONG GIRL. YOU WILL SOLVE IT” – SHE REPLIED.
“You are a strong girl. You will solve it” – she replied.
She never made an exception with me either. But she supported me, gave advice, believed in me.
After the funeral, everyone went to her house to hear the will. I packed my things in advance. I knew they would not let me stay.
An icy silence ruled the living room while Mr. Johnson, the lawyer, arrived.
“I will not stay long” – he said. “There is not much to discuss.”
“What do you mean there isn’t?” my mother snapped.
“Cassandra left nothing to any of you.”
The room exploded with outrage.
THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE! ARE THEY TAKING THE HOUSE FROM UNDER US?!
“This is impossible! Are they taking the house from under us?!”
“I am not at liberty to disclose who the heir is. Now I ask you to leave the property.”
No one moved.
“That witch!” Uncle Jack shouted.
“Don’t speak about her like that!” I told him. “She cared about us, just in her own way.”
Then Berta began barking loudly.
“And what about the dog?” Florence asked.
“Put her to sleep” – my mother said coldly.
“She’s old anyway.”
“You can’t do that!” I shouted.
“Then take her.”
“My lease does not allow pets…”
“Then it’s settled.”
Tom and Alice, my cousins, refused.
“Fine. I’ll take her” – I finally said.
The lawyer again asked them to leave, and eventually everyone left.
I RETURNED TO MY APARTMENT WITH BERTA.
I returned to my apartment with Berta. My landlord agreed that she could stay temporarily, although he raised the rent.
One evening, after my shift, there was a knock. My mother stood at the door.
“I know you have it!” she shouted.
“What?”
“The inheritance!”
“I only got Berta.”
“Don’t lie! You were with her in the last months!”
“I didn’t get anything.”
LIAR! YOU OWE ME!
“Liar! You owe me!”
I cried. Berta climbed into my lap.
Then I noticed something on her collar. I took it off and turned it over.
An address and the number 153 were engraved on it.
I entered it into the GPS. It led to the train station. The number was probably a storage locker.
The collar tag could be opened. A tiny key was hidden inside.
I went to the train station immediately. The key fit locker 153.
Inside, a folder was waiting: “For Meredith”.
A LETTER AND DOCUMENTS.
A letter and documents.
“I leave my life’s work to the pure-hearted person who does not take advantage of others’ weakness. Everything I have belongs to the one who takes on the care of Berta. I am certain that it will be you, Meredith.”
This was the will.
“I knew you were hiding something!” I heard my mother’s voice.
I turned around. Uncle Jack was there too.
“I hired a private detective. Give me the papers.”
“No!” my mother shouted.
“Meredith will not hand over anything” Mr. Johnson spoke behind them.
“Where did you come from?”
“I received a notification when the locker was opened. I suspected this might happen.”
“I have a right to it!” my mother shouted.
“Cassandra’s estate belongs to the one who cares for Berta. That was not you.”
“Then I will take that flea-ridden dog now!”
“Too late. Meredith unknowingly took on the responsibility. That was the condition. If anyone interferes, they will have to deal with the police.”
With trembling hands I held the folder.
“Let’s go, Meredith. We have a lot to do.”
IN THE CAR I ASKED:
In the car I asked:
“Why did she do this?”
“She wanted her money to be in good hands.”
I nodded.
“I will donate most of it to the hospital.”
“It is your decision now.”
In that moment I missed my grandmother, but I knew I would not let her down.
She believed in me.
AND I WANTED TO PROVE THAT SHE WAS RIGHT.
And I wanted to prove that she was right.
