Emily unexpectedly ran into her former neighbor, who told her that her father was very ill.
Her father, after Emily defied him by getting married, couldn’t stand her, but since he was unwell, she felt obligated to see him. Who knows, it might be the last time.
She took time off work, drove to his place, and rang the doorbell.
Her younger brother, James, who was already forty-six, opened the door. They exchanged cautious smiles, as a rift had long existed between them. And it, too, was because of their father.
Once, at a family gathering when their mother was still alive, their father decided to take another jab at Emily.
— Alright, kids! — their father struck a solemn pose at the table. — I’ve decided to write my will in advance, just in case. So, the house, the garden, and my car will go to James. Because he always listens to me and respects me.
Back then, James was just in his early twenties, already married and living separately from their parents.
— What’s that supposed to mean?! — his wife glared at him, indignant. — What about Emily? She’s got three kids! Everything should be split evenly!
— No way! — their father snapped. — She’s got a husband… A hard worker… — He smirked sarcastically. — Let him provide for her.
Emily’s husband was, indeed, a stroke of bad luck. Though she married him out of deep love, as often happens, that love burned out quickly, and he started drinking heavily. Because of this, he kept getting fired from jobs.
— Didn’t want to go to college, ran off to get married against my wishes, so let her suffer now, — their father continued to mock Emily. — And if you feel sorry for her, — he looked pointedly at his wife, — let her take your late parents’ house in the countryside. She and her husband can go live there and work the land…
To be honest, Emily wasn’t even listening to her father back then, long accustomed to his humiliations. At that moment, she was looking at James, her heart breaking as she saw how her brother reacted to their father’s words.
James was practically glowing with joy, barely holding back a smug grin. When their eyes met, he looked at his sister with pride, as if to say, “Got it? It’s all mine.”
From that day on, they barely spoke. And after their mother passed away, they stopped seeing each other altogether.
Now, they just nodded silently to one another. James only asked in a low voice:
— How did you find out?
— I ran into our old neighbor, Mrs. Clara. Is Dad really that bad?
— The hospital refused to keep him. They say we should be prepared for… you know… Right now, he’s sleeping, I think…
When Emily approached her father’s bed, he opened his eyes immediately, as if he’d been waiting for her.
— So, you came after all… — he rasped in an unfamiliar voice. — Why are you here?
— To see you, — Emily shrugged.
— Happy that I’m doing badly? — her father started his usual tune. — Thinking I’ll change my mind and rewrite the will just because you showed up?
Emily only smiled sadly and said nothing.
— Don’t even hope for it… — Her father struggled to raise his hand and shakily pointed a finger in the air. — I’m not changing anything. Everything goes to James. Every last nail… Because he respects me…
Emily wanted to glance at her brother but hesitated, afraid she’d see that smug smile again.
She sat by the bed a little longer, and when her father fell asleep, she got up and called James to the kitchen.
— Who’s going to stay with him? — she asked.
— I’ve arranged for a nurse, — her brother replied. — Paid, of course.
— Good, — Emily nodded. — We’ll split the cost. — She pulled a few large bills from her purse and handed them to him. — If there’s any left, it’ll come in handy later, you know for what…
— Where’d you get that kind of money? — James smirked. — Took out another loan, I bet? Don’t worry about it, I’ll cover everything myself.
— Listen, brother! — Emily firmly placed her hand on James’s shoulder and, for the first time in years, looked him straight in the eyes. — Are you really afraid I’m going to demand a piece of the inheritance? Don’t be. I don’t want anything from Dad. But as his daughter, I owe it to him to be useful in some way during these days. Got it? I’m leaving. Keep me posted.
She glanced into her father’s room one last time and left what was now a stranger’s house.
That night, their father passed away.
On the forty-first day, James called Emily.
— Listen, I’ve finally started dealing with the inheritance, — he said, his voice tinged with guilt.
— And? — Emily asked, surprised. — Why do you need me? You know everything about the will. Handle it yourself.
— I know, I know, but I only got my hands on the will today. It was with our Aunt Mary.
— I’ll ask again, why do you need me? — Emily’s voice betrayed irritation.
— Because the will isn’t what Dad always said it was. Turns out, he split everything evenly between us.
There was a long pause.
— You hear me? — James asked his sister. — Why aren’t you saying anything?
— I hear you… — Emily replied. — But for some reason, I’m not happy about it. Not at all…
— I get it… — James said. — My wife and I don’t want our share either. This inheritance messed things up between us, made everything so stupid. It’s not right. And… you’ve got a bunch of kids, and your husband’s practically disabled now… So, I’m giving up my share in your favor. Got it?
Another pause followed.
— Why do you keep going quiet, sis? — James asked again. — What’s wrong?
— I can’t talk… — Emily whispered into the phone. — I’m crying…
— Why are you crying? — His voice trembled too.
— Because it’s the first time in twenty years you’ve called me ‘sis’… That’s why…
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