The Fremont Saga
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 33 

Cousin Leroy

As the service was ending, I was thinking that the music and the message were just what Grandmother would have wanted.  I was beginning to get the feeling that Timmy was agitated by something, because he started fidgeting which was atypical for him. 

The recessional started with Father Wanamaker leading the way.  The casket started to be rolled to the center aisle and Timmy and I followed the casket as it was being rolled down the aisle.  We were followed by the other four guys and the parents and the two sisters. 

As we were moving down the aisle, I almost lost it when I saw who all was there.  Uncle Will and Uncle Archie were sitting with Monsieur Fourcault, Justin and Ricky.  Seated right behind them were Uncle Hank and Uncle Rod with Vicky, Mr. Johnson, Shamus, Jaime and Kelly.   Seated in the next row were Maria, Inga, J.R. and Jacques.

John, Robbie, Todd and Derek sitting together with some more of our high school friends.  As I looked around the rest of the congregation I saw some of my teachers and other classmates.  In fact I think my entire art class was there.”

As soon as we were out of the sanctuary, Timmy went to Mother and Dad, “Please, can you tell the people to open Grandmother’s casket one more time. I want to make sure that something is missing..

 

Dad started to object, “Timmy, that’s highly unusual.”

“Please, Daddy, it’s important to me. I want to make sure Grandmother’s angel pin is gone.  I think she and Grandpa Nappy came and took it, during the service.”

Dad and Mother looked at me, and I nodded yes.

Dad went to talk to the funeral director who frowned, “This is highly irregular.  Let’s take the casket into the waiting room.  What is it that you’re looking for?”

Timmy had tears in his eyes, “Mister, we just want to look at Grandmother one more time.  We want to see if anything is missing.”

The man bristled, “Are you saying that you think me and my people took something that we shouldn’t have?”

Dad surprised me, “Mr. Kahler, should we have reason to suspect that your people are taking any valuables that the deceased had on their person?”

Mr. Kahler shook his head no, “I try to always close the casket so that there is no question, but still people have accused us of taking valuables.  We would be stupid to do so, because there is always the chance that the body would be exhumed and the valuable or keepsakes would be missing.”

Timmy went to the man, “Sir, please can you do this for us.  I want to make sure that something is missing and I know that you didn’t take it.”

Mr. Kahler opened the casket.  Timmy, Dad, Mother and I looked at Grandmother one more time.  Timmy yelled, “I was right.  The pin is gone.  Thank you, Mister.  We know that you didn’t take it.”

Timmy jumped into my arms and hugged me.

The pall bearers followed the casket to the hearse and climbed into the limousine that was behind the hearse and the parents and girls rode in a second limousine.  As we rode to the cemetery, Timmy laid against me, “Brian, I’m tired.  How much more do we have to do today?”

I hugged him, “Timmy, hopefully, we won’t have to do anything more after the luncheon.  I’m tired too.”

When we arrived at the cemetery, I thought the cars would never stop arriving.  Father Wanamaker started the interment service which was short.  The six pall bearers stood behind the casket as it was lowered into the open grave.  After the service, Father Wanamaker made sure to invite the people back to the church for a light luncheon.

When we arrived at the church, we went to the Family Life Center, where the ladies of the church had a humongous array of salads, desserts and sandwich fixings for the people who would be eating.

The six pall bearers followed Dad, Mother and the sisters through the buffet line before anyone else went through.  As we were eating, Dad suggested, “It would be good if we mixed with the people after we finish eating to thank them for coming.  I had no idea all of these people would be here.”

Timmy, Tanner and I had taken only a sandwich, a taste of a salad and a dessert bar.  Timmy was complaining, “Brian and Tanner, I don’t think I can eat all of this.”

As we were eating, Timmy was looking around, “Brian and Tanner, did you know all of these people were going to be here.”

We assured him that we had no idea.

Timmy was looking around, “Brian, who is that strange man who keeps walking around.  I don’t think I like him.”

I shrugged my shoulders, “Maybe he’s from the media.”

Finally everyone was through the buffet line and some people were even standing against the wall, eating.  We finished eating and started to talk to the guests.  I went to talk to the people from England.  Kelly asked, “I don’t suppose you have any more trash to send to the gallery.

“I’ve been busy, I have one painting that I did, but I’m not sure I want to put it on display.  I’m thinking that it would be something that my family would want to keep.”

Our conversation was interrupted because I heard Timmy's voice, “Brian and Tanner, I think that strange man has a gun and he wants to kill Daddy and Mother.  Don’t let him hurt anyone!”

Tanner and I excused ourselves and went into the waiting room, and when we returned to the Family Life Center, unseen, the man was indeed wielding a gun, “Benson and Becca, you and your family are going to pay for robbing me of thirty years of my life.”

Tanner grabbed the man by the neck and kneed him in the back so hard that he dropped the gun and I kicked him in the stomach and genitals so hard that the man fell to the floor writhing in pain.  Ben and Grant and some other men who were present made sure that that the man didn’t move until the police arrived.  Tanner and I reentered the Family Life Center as if we had no idea what was happening.  

Timmy made a big to-do about us not being present for the action, “Brian and Tanner, you missed the excitement that man was going to shoot us.  He must have got sick or something because he fell to the floor.”

Uncle Hank took us aside, “Guys that was an awesome display.  How did you know what the man was planning?”

Tanner answered, “It was Timmy who picked up on the fact that the man had a gun.  He warned Brian and me, so we did the only thing we could to make sure that no one was hurt.”

The police arrived and the man was taken away.  The lead detective asked, “Does anyone know who that man was?”

Dad answered, “Officer, I don’t know for sure, but because of what he said, I’m guessing he may have been Leroy Gleason, who was my wife’s cousin.”

After the police had departed, Dad went to the microphone, “Ladies and gentlemen, we want to thank you for attending the celebration of Grandma Irene Gleason’s life.  My family is rather rattled by what has happened, so we are going to be leaving.  Again thank you very much for coming.”

Vicky was riding in the car with Tanner, Timmy and me, “Brian, do strange things happen to you and your family all the time?”

I chuckled, “Not all the time.  But we do seem to have our share of weird things happen to us.”

Vicky asked, “Where were you two guys when that man had his seizure or whatever?”

Tanner answered, “We were saying goodbye to some of our school friends who needed to go back to school.”

The conversation was interrupted because we arrived at the house.  The house was rather full, since the friends from Europe as well as Ithaca were all there. 

Kelly asked, “Brian, can we see the painting that you don’t think you want to sell?”

I went to get my portfolio and an easel.  When I put the painting of Grandmother in her coffin on the easel, Timmy started to cry, “Brian, give the painting to Mr. Johnson to sell.  If we keep it here, we would look at it and be sad.”

Mr. Johnson nodded, “Brian, I think that is probably the best painting that you have done.  I think you should let the world enjoy it.  Your love for your Grandmother is emanating from the painting.”

I looked at Mother and she had tears in her eyes.  “Brian, I agree with Timmy.  Every time we would look at the painting, it would bring back memories.  Go ahead and sell it and let other people enjoy your work.  We have our own memories already stored in our minds.”

I handed the portfolio to Kelly, “You win this round.”

Uncle Hank stood, “We need to be leaving.  We have a meeting first thing in the morning.” 

Timmy, Tanner Morgan and I escorted the guests from England to the carriage that appeared.  We hugged the people as they boarded and watched them take off into the wild blue yonder.

When we reentered the house, Monsieur Fourcault asked, “Could we have a short meeting with you three guys and your parents?”

Dad led us to the office.  When we were seated, Monsieur Fourcault started, “Brian, making the Chateau Lafontaine into a bed and breakfast was a wonderful idea.  The place has been making quite a nice profit.  I suggest that you pay a visit to both the Chateau Lafontaine and the Nice Arms Bead and Breakfast, even if it is for only one night, to let the employees know that you care about what is happening.  I know that this is a bad time for you, given your Grandmother’s death and the fact that you are going to be spending most of the Christmas vacation at the Chalet, skiing.”

Timmy looked at Dad and Mother, “When will Lauren be coming home from the school, for Christmas vacation?  We don’t want to be gone while she is here.”

Dad looked perplexed, “I think her school will be finished on Friday, December, Dec. 17^th.  We’ll probably pick her up that afternoon.”

Timmy looked at the calendar, “Could we go on the tenth and come back Sunday evening?  We could spend the Friday night at Tanner’s house and then spend Saturday at Brian’s house?”

I looked at Uncle Archie and Uncle Will, “Would that be possible to arrange on such short notice?”

Uncle Archie laughed, “We can arrange it.  After all you are the owners.”

Timmy grinned, “We don’t need big suites for one night.  A room with a bed will be fine.  We’ll need three rooms since we’ll be taking Morgan with us.  We don’t want to leave her here at home by herself.”

Monsieur Fourcault nodded, “I’ll be putting 500 euros in each of your accounts tomorrow, so you have funds to buy Christmas presents and have some spending money on your trips.  If you need more money, let me know.”

Uncle Will stood, “We need to be heading back.  We don’t want to have Ricky miss any more school.”

As we were walking them to the awaiting carriage, Tanner and I asked Ricky and Justin how things were going.

Ricky answered, “Guys, you can’t believe how great living with Dad Will and Dad Archie is.  They give us a little slack, but not very much.”

Justin added, “They treat us as human beings and not as their personal slaves.”

As we were walking into the house after saying goodbye to our friends from Europe. Dad announced, We are to meet with David at five o’clock, for the reading of Grandmother’s will, so Ben, Grant and their friends can get back to college.”

When we entered the house, Ben met us, “There are two men and a woman here demanding their share of the inheritance from Grandmother’s estate.  They’re rather grungy looking.”

Dad and Mother looked at each other and Dad said, “You don’t suppose it’s your mother and your uncles, do you?”

We followed Dad and Mother into the foyer, where the people were standing.  Dad was very cool, “Might I ask who you are, that you think you deserve any money from Irene Gleason’s estate.”

The older of the two men shouted, “Cut the bull shit Benson.  We’re the battleaxe Gleason’s three children.”

“Archie, Rosie, and Rudy, we don’t have any of Mrs. Gleason’s money.  In fact we’re meeting with her lawyer in thirty minutes to find out how she wanted any funds in her estate to be distributed.  You’re welcome to join us, but I think I can guarantee you, that you aren’t going to like what you hear.  We’ll be meeting at the law offices of David Burns and associates, on Pine Street.  Unfortunately, I guess we’ll be seeing you there.”

After the three visitors had departed, Lauren asked, “What’s the big deal with Grandmother’s money?”

I had all I could take, “Lauren, you didn’t listen to what Dad and Mother told us, recently.  I guess you were so caught up in your own little poor me role that you don’t understand or care what’s happening.  If it hadn’t been for Timmy realizing the man at the luncheon was carrying a gun, some or all of us could be dead.  You need to get in touch with reality.”

Dad pulled me away, “Brian, back off.  We need to go.  Your Mother and I will take the girls and you five guys can ride together.”

Before we left for Uncle David’s office, Dad called Uncle David, “David, we just had a visit from Mrs. Gleason’s sons and daughter.  They are going to be at the reading of the will.  You might want to have some police available, since we have no idea what they might try after what the person did at the luncheon, today.”

When we arrived at Uncle David’s office, The three visitors were already seated in front of Uncle David‘s desk.  Timmy looked at me, “Brian, can we sit as far away from them as possible? They smell terrible.  They not only smell dirty, but they smell as if they have been drinking and haven’t brushed their teeth for days.”

When we were settled, Uncle David stood, “As Mrs. Irene Gleason’s attorney, I would like to read her will.” 

Uncle David stood and started to read,

"I, Irene Gleason, certify that this is my last will which was signed on November 10, 2010.  I will be stipulating how the few financial resources that I have are to be distributed.”

“Before I specify how they are to be distributed, however, I would like to make it perfectly clear that under no circumstances are my two sons, Archibald and Rudolf, or their offspring, to receive any of the funds.  The same goes for my daughter, Rosalie, other than her daughter Rebecca, of course, since she has always shown me love and respect.  The whole load of them tried to rob me of my dignity, thirty years ago, and they have absolutely no right to expect any funds from me, now that I have gone on to a better place.”

“If, perchance, any or all of you are at the reading of this will, I assure you that I have taken every precaution to make sure that you don’t get your hands on a single penny of the money in my estate.”

The younger of the two gentlemen jumped up, even though he wasn’t exactly young, “Listen you self righteous Prima Donnas, if we don’t get our fair share, then you won’t live to enjoy any of the bitch’s money.  He pulled out a gun.”

He was quickly subdued by the two policemen who had quietly entered the room, unbeknownst to the visitors.  Two other officers handcuffed the other two visitors and the three unwelcome guests were led away.”

When he was ready to start again, Uncle David pointed to the three empty chairs, “Why don’t some of you come sit up here?”

Timmy shook his head, no, “Uncle David, I wouldn’t sit in those chairs, right now, if they were the last ones in the room.  Those bad people were dirty and really smelled bad.  I don’t want any of that smell to rub off on me.”

By the time that Uncle David finished reading Grandmother’s will, I was totally lost.  Each of us seven children, Ben, Grant, Lauren, Tanner, Morgan, Timmy and me were to receive a sizeable lump sum payment, which was to be held in escrow, until such time as we went to college.  At such time, it was to be used to pay for our college expenses and spending money.  The will stipulated that we were to be able to access the principle, once we reached the age of twenty-one.

Uncle David added, “There is one exception. Namely that Lauren will not be able to touch the principle, in her account, until she reaches the age of twenty-five.”

“As for the remainder of the funds that Mrs. Gleason has left behind, they will be placed into a fund for the needy and oppressed, which is to be administered by Brian, Tanner and Timmy.  The proceeds from the sale of her condo are to go to the Church Food Pantry.”

“Unless someone has any questions, that’s all I have.  I hope that all of you young people will be good stewards of Grandma Gleason’s significant funds.”

I was almost afraid to breath, because of how Lauren might react, but there was no outward reaction, so we departed for home. 

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Why do I suspect that either the sword of Damocles is hanging over their heads, or another shoe is about to fall, due to Lauren's temper?   I am actually surprised that Grandmother Gleason's rotten kids were actually still alive.  I would have thought they would have all dried up and perished, from the lack of a heart.  For those of you who have read some earlier stories concerning Fremont, you might remember how mean and snotty, Grandmother Gleason's children were to her. 

Please remember to let E Walk know how you like his various stories.  I know that he always appreciates hearing from you. 

I am ready for the next chapter.

Darryl AKA the Radio Rancher 

Posted: 08/06/10