The tale of the day is that I was the only one who took Grandma’s favorite dog and figured out the secret she left behind while my relatives fought over her will.
After Grandma died, my family rushed to her house in search of her will. I was the only one who brought Grandma’s old dog home. I didn’t know she had more than just memories of her. A few days later, I unearthed Grandma’s secret in a spot that no one else would have thought to look.
You have to wait for someone to die or throw a lot of money in front of my whole family to get them all together. Unfortunately, it was both that day.
I watched as Grandma was buried deep in the ground.
Berta pulled ahead like she wanted to catch Grandma, but I held on to her leash tightly.
Berta was Grandma’s dog. Grandma used to claim that Berta was her best friend and the only person she could genuinely trust. She bought her when I was a kid.
Even though Grandma was a nice lady, she was definitely a touch finicky.
She had made a lot of money over the years, but she never gave her kids or grandkids a single penny.
Instead, she paid for everyone’s education. She thought that everyone should be able to make it on their own, starting with nothing, just like she had.
So, until that day, my mom, uncle, aunt, and their kids didn’t talk to Grandma or even mention her.
I looked at each face and asked them questions. I knew why they were all there. Money.
At the very least, they hoped to get something after Grandma died. But knowing her, it wasn’t going to be that easy.
I had to move in with Grandma because she had been quite sick for the last six months of her life.
It was hard to do that while working as a nurse, but I did it.
I knew that Grandma had been grateful that someone had been there for her during those hard times.
But she didn’t make my life any easier. I remembered getting a big bill for car repairs one day.
I told her, “I don’t know how I’m going to pay for this.”
“You have strength, girl.” Grandma added, “You’ll be fine.”
Of course, I didn’t expect anything else. She didn’t make any exceptions, not even for me. But I was thankful for her ongoing support and advice.
After the funeral, everyone went to Grandma’s house to hear the will. I had packed my things ahead of time because I knew my family.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay at her house. We all just stood there and gave each other cold, angry looks while we waited for the lawyer to arrive there.
Aunt Florence then turned to look at me, probably because she was bored. “Remind me, Meredith, what kind of doctor are you?” she asked. ”
“I work as a nurse,” I said.
“A nurse?” “Uncle Jack said again, shocked. “That’s not how you’re going to get rich.” He pointed to my relatives, who were sitting with their noses in the air, and said, “Alice owns several beauty salons, and Tom has his own car company.”
“I help other people. I said, “That’s enough for me.”
“I can’t believe I gave birth to her,” Mom said softly.
I only talked to her on the phone three times a year: on my birthday, her birthday, and Christmas.
The doorbell rang all of a sudden. When I saw that no one would answer, I opened the door myself.
Standing there was Mr. Johnson, the lawyer in charge of Grandma’s will. I led him into the living room’s calm sitting area for the family.
I asked Mr. Johnson to sit down, but he politely said no and stood at the door to the living room.
He added in a calm voice, “I won’t take up much of your time.” “There’s not much to talk about.”
“You mean there’s not much to say?” What about the will? Mom asked, sounding annoyed.
“Someone must have gotten something from her,” Uncle Jack said anxiously.
Mr. Johnson stated coldly, “It looks like Cassandra didn’t agree.”
“What do you mean?” “Aunt Florence asked.
Mr. Johnson said in a harsh voice, “Cassandra will not leave any of you anything.”
Angry gasps filled the room.
“How can that even be possible? We are her family! So, who will get the house and the money? Mom yelled.
Mr. Johnson said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you that.” “I need everyone to leave the house now.”
But no one did anything.
“That old witch!” “Uncle Jack roared. “Even though I knew our mother didn’t love us, not a single penny after she died?”
“Don’t say that,” I said quickly. “Grandma was worried about us. She just showed that she cared about everyone in her own manner.
“That’s right,” Mom said softly. “She is still a witch, just like she was when she was alive.”
At that point, Berta barked loudly.
“That makes sense. What are we going to do with that dog?” Aunt Florence asked.
“Put her down,” Mom said coldly.
“Yes,” Uncle Jack said. “Anyway, she’s as old as dirt.”
“She can’t be put down!” I yelled.
So what should we do with her? Mom said, “It’s better than leaving her on the street.”
Grandma loved Berta. I said, “Someone needs to take her.”
The room was filled with bitter laughter.
“Take her if you want her,” Mom responded. “That woman didn’t care about us.” Why does her dog matter to us?
I mumbled, “I can’t take her because my lease doesn’t allow pets.”
Uncle Jack then said firmly, “It’s decided; we’ll put her down.”
“Tom? Hey Alice? I turned to my cousins out of desperation.
Tom waved me away. Alice shook her head. “Nope.” She said, “I won’t let an animal with fleas into my house.”
I let out a long sigh. “Okay. I said, “I’ll take Berta.”
Mr. Johnson made sure everyone knew he was there by clearing his throat loudly. “Please, for the last time, leave the house. He said, “You don’t have the right to be here anymore.”
“And who has the right to that?” “Mom yelled. “This is the house where we grew up!””
“Don’t make me call the police,” Mr. Johnson responded.
They all picked up their stuff one by one, grumbled, and left. I helped Berta get into the back seat of the car after gathering her things and packing them up. Then I drove back to my apartment.
I was glad that my landlord let me keep Berta for a while, even if he raised the rent a little.
I was ready for the possibility that we may end up on the street.
Berta missed Grandma just as much as I did. Grandma was the only one in our family who actually helped me.
She had helped me with my schoolwork, asked about my job all the time, and was happy every time a patient got better. I genuinely missed her.
One night, when I was working at the hospital, I heard a knock on my door.
I stopped moving when I opened it. My mother was there.
“Mom? What brings you here? I asked.
“I’m sure you have it!”” She yelled.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, “What?”
“I know you got everything from Grandma,” my mom shouted.
I said, “Berta was all I got.”
“What?” she asked, not understanding.
I talked about Grandma’s dog, Berta.
“Don’t lie to me!” “said my mom. You’ve been living with her for the last six months. You must have gotten everything from her! “You were always her favorite granddaughter,” she said again.
I said, “Grandma didn’t give me any money, just like she didn’t give you any.”
“You’re lying!” “Stop!” my mother yelled. “Where is it?” I gave birth to you! I need that money!
“I don’t have anything!”” Water ran down my face.
“We’ll see about that, witch!” My mom left after she spat.
I couldn’t stop crying, so I fell to the floor and closed the door. Berta got in my lap, as if to comfort me.
I started to pet her when I saw something on her collar. I took off Berta’s collar and turned it inside out.
The back had the number 153 and an address that had been carved into it. I grimaced as I typed the destination into my GPS.
The number looked like a locker and took you to the train station. But where could I get the key to the locker?
After that, I saw that Berta’s collar tag could be opened. When I opened it, a small key fell into my hand.
I went straight to the station without thinking. I found locker 153 and tried to use the key. It was right.
When I opened the locker, I found a folder that said “For Meredith.” There were some papers and a note written by Grandma inside. I took the note out and began to read it.
I chose to give what I had worked so hard for to a nice person who wouldn’t take advantage of other people.
Anyone who promised to look after Berta would get everything I own. And Meredith, I’m sure you would be that person.
You deserve the best because you are the only person in our family who still acts like a good person. With love from your grandmother.
After reading the note, I took the papers out of the folder and saw that they were Grandma’s will. It seemed like it couldn’t be true.
“Ah! I knew you were hiding something! I heard my mom’s voice behind me.
I turned around, surprised. “I swear, I didn’t know anything,” I said.
Out of nowhere, Uncle Jack said, “So she really decided to leave everything to Meredith.”
“Why are you here?” Mom shouted.
“Sister, you didn’t think you were the smart one. Uncle Jack said, “I hired a private investigator to follow Meredith.” “Please be nice and give the will to Meredith now.”
“No! You are my child! Give it to me. My mom screamed.
Mr. Johnson made it obvious that Meredith would not give it to anyone.
“And where are you from?” Uncle Jack let out a bark.
Mr. Johnson said, “The sensor on my phone told me when the locker opened.” “I came as soon as I could because I am responsible for carrying out Cassandra’s will, and I thought something like this might happen.”
“I don’t care!” I am Meredith’s mother! “I have rights to the will,” my mother said.
“Whoever was responsible for taking care of Berta will get Cassie’s estate.” Mr. Johnson said in a calm voice, “You weren’t that person.”
“I’ll take that flea-ridden dog if I have to!” “Uncle Jack roared.
“It’s too late.” Meredith accepted Berta without knowing that she would get anything in return. That was the main thing the will said. “And if any of you try to get in my way, you’ll have to deal with me and the police,” Mr. Johnson said.
I couldn’t say anything, so I just stood there with the folder in my hands, shaking.
Mr. Johnson remarked, “Come on, Meredith, we have a lot to talk about,” and we walked to my car.
What made her act this way? Why make everyone fight? We were in the car when I questioned Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Johnson said, “She wanted her money to go to a good person who would use it for good.”
I nodded. I said, “Then I’ll give the hospital the bigger part.”
Now it belongs to you. Mr. Johnson said, “You can use it however you want.”
I knew I would try not to let Grandma down, even though I missed her more than ever at that moment.