Chapter 11 - The Name in the Will
Clara did not open the envelope immediately.
She took it home.
She placed it on her kitchen table.
Then she stared at it for an hour.
The revelation she had been chasing suddenly seemed less important than the question inside the envelope.
Who was her father?
She had never questioned it.
Robert had been there.
He had taught her to ride a bicycle.
He had attended her graduation.
He had cried when she joined the Navy.
He had failed to defend her enough times, but Clara had never doubted that he loved her.
Now doubt entered the room.
She opened the envelope.
Inside was an old letter.
Only one page.
The letter mentioned a trust.
A child.
A promise.
And a condition that had never been fulfilled.
Clara read it twice.
Then she called Robert.
"Did you know my grandfather created a trust for me?"
Silence.
Robert finally answered.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Clara looked at the letter.
"Then why did Mom know?"
Robert did not answer.
Clara closed her eyes.
"Did you know there was another beneficiary?"
Robert's breathing changed.
"Clara..."
She knew immediately.
"You did."
"I found out years ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because your mother begged me not to."
Clara stood.
"What was the other beneficiary's name?"
Robert was silent.
May you like
Then he whispered it.
Clara dropped the phone.
