Chapter 5: The Name My Mother Feared
My mother sat down slowly in my father’s old chair.
The same chair where he used to read financial reports every night.
The same chair where he taught me how to calculate measurements for building fences.
Now she looked like she was carrying a weight she had carried alone for years.
“Who was he talking about?”” I asked.
She didn’t answer.
“Mom.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Your father loved people too much.””
I frowned.
“What does that have to do with anything?””
“He always believed betrayal could be fixed.””
She looked at the letter.
“He thought if he confronted the person responsible, they would admit what they did.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“And they didn’t?””
She shook her head.
“No.””
The silence that followed felt heavier than any confession.
“Who was it?””
My mother looked toward the window.
Then she said a name.
A name I never expected.
“Your uncle.””
I froze.
“My uncle?””
She nodded.
“Your father’s younger brother.””
I stepped back.
“That’s impossible.””
“I wish it was.””
My uncle James had died five years after my father.
Everyone said he struggled after losing the family business connection.
Everyone said he became bitter.
But nobody ever said he betrayed my father.
“Why would Uncle James do that?””
My mother wiped her eyes.
“Because he thought your father took everything from him.””
“That doesn’t make sense.””
She sighed.
“When your grandfather died, the farm was left to your father. James believed he deserved half.””
I looked at the letter again.
“And Richard?””
“He saw an opportunity.””
I understood.
Richard didn’t create the resentment.
He used it.
My phone suddenly rang.
I looked at the screen.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice spoke.
“Charles Hartwell?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Evelyn Carter. I’m an attorney.””
I stood straighter.
“Why are you calling me?””
There was a pause.
“I knew your father.””
My grip tightened.
“How?””
“I worked with him before his death.””
My mother looked at me.
The color drained from her face.
“What did you say your name was?”” she whispered.
I covered the phone.
“Evelyn Carter.””
My mother stood immediately.
“No.””
“What?””
“She can’t be calling you.””
The fear in her voice made my stomach drop.
I returned to the phone.
“Ms. Carter, why are you contacting me?””
Her voice became serious.
“Because I believe your father left something unfinished.””
“What?””
“A document.””
I looked at the letter.
“What kind of document?””
“The one that proves Willowbrook Farm was stolen.””
My heart pounded.
“Where is it?””
Another pause.
Then Evelyn said:
“Before I tell you, I need to know one thing.””
“What?””
“Are you alone?””
I looked around the office.
My mother was standing beside me.
“No.””
The line went silent.
Then Evelyn whispered:
“Charles, do not let your mother hear this.””
I stared at the phone.
Slowly, I looked at my mother.
May you like
She looked terrified.
And suddenly I didn’t know who to trust.
