Wordsmiths Fiction Week 4: Season 24 – The Family Secret
Welcome to another week of the Fantastic Fiction Writing Challenge. This week we got a more fascinating topic. Well, here is my entry and I am start from the Prompt given.
Julie left the lawyers office with anger and immediately called his young brother Jack. Almost screamed, “Where are you, Idiot? Come home now. I’ve something to tell you.” and cut the call. Jack, who has no clue why his sister was angry? She never talked like that with him. However, he came back home immediately.
“Another brother?” Jack was astonished after learning about the will.
“Yes. Jeremy is the name,” Julie said.
“Who is Jeremy? We are already facing many difficulties. Now a new one comes.” Jack shook his head.
Julie sat down on the couch. Thoughts overwhelmed her. They are already suffering. Now they have to share what they have with someone they never knew. After a long silent, Julie tells her brother, “We will do it. We will send him mail. This is the last wish of our father. We must have to do it.” Jack agreed.
The next day, Julie sent a mail to the P.O. Box they found. It was another state’s address. But this the only clue they have.
Dear Jeremy,
It’s your sister, Julie. If you’re aware of our late father, John. I find his will, and he mentioned your name as his legal heir, and his wish was to divide his estate equally among his three heirs. So, I invite you to discuss this.
Julie Cates.
A week passed. No response from the other side. They continued their struggle. Julie, who is now 25, is the firstborn daughter of John. Lost their mother 7 years ago. Never lived a luxurious life. Now, more pain is to come for them. Finally, the mail has come. Julie opened it,
Dear Sister,
I am eager to meet you. Next Sunday evening, Sun-Man Restaurant. Top Flore.
Jeremy Cates.
Julie get angry after reading this. First, this Jeremy guy ordered her what to do. Despite she invited him to here. Second, she knew Sun-Man. The most expensive restaurante in the city.
“WOW! Sun-Man Inn. Our brother is rich.” Jack was overflowing after hear that. He is still teen. Visiting there feels an adventure for him. Julie was about to get angry. But controlled herself. This is not Jack’s fault. She is also excited about the meeting. She is also never been there.
Julie and Jack was surprised. The Top Flore was totally empty. Only two waitress was there. They took the corner table. The view was fantastic. They sat there. They were so amazed after came here that they started talk about the hospitality and view. They forgot why they came here. Suddenly, Jack said, “I wish I can come here every day!”
“May your wish come true,” a stranger said.
They looked at him. They were shocked! This man looks exactly like their late father.
“Are you Jeremy?” – Julie asked him. She is still in disbelief. Jack was totally silent.
“Yes, my dear sister.” – Jeremy replied. A tall man like their father. Almost 40+. With beard. Look like a rich-man. All eyes on him. Minutes passed. He broke the silent.
“All your questions’ answers are here. In front of you. Before telling you everything, I hope you are hungry. What would you like to eat?” He asked both his siblings.
“Anything,” Jack said in a low voice. Julie was still silent.
Jeremy called the waitress and ordered, “Give us the best food you have.” And turned back to them.
“You were at our father’s funeral. Why didn’t you talk to us that time?” Julie finally remembered where she had seen him before.
“Would you believe me that time?” – Jeremy replied. Yes, that’s true.
“It was a commitment to our late father that I made. He told me not to show up in front of until you don’t ask.”- Jeremy said again.
“OK. Got it. But why did he keep this secret from us? You look rich, and here we are. Why this difference?” – Julie now gets angry with her late father.
“How could he tell you about his dark past and secret? As he wished, I will tell you about everything now. He didn’t want to see you both hate him when he was alive.” – Jeremy now became serious.
“What dark past?” Jack opened his mouth this time.
“Our father was a gangster. When my mother was murdered by his enemy, he broke up and had to change his life. I was young. He gave all his fortune to me. When he married your mother and started a new life, I was angry. But he never abandoned me. He rose you with good intentions and honesty. He never wanted you to know his past and start to hate him. And, yes, the will was not for me, for you, so that you can spend your life the way you deserve.” – Jeremy stopped.
Julie is crying. Jack was quiet. After a while, Jeremy said again, “As your brother, I want you to forgive our father and take what he left for you. All those years, he always talked about you. How you two struggled to get a random life. Here it is. This is not your fault. He became an honest man before you two were born. We must continue what he left.”
Julie wiped her eyes. Stand up and hug Jeremy. Jack followed this. Just like they are always like that.