It's been two weeks since Evelyn had left, Clairece hasn't had another dream since. She begins to wonder why when she realizes she has Oscar locked in the safe. She didn't think about not having the combination when she locked it. She has been going through the house, looking for anything that would give her a clue. She's even thought of calling a locksmith to open it.
Clairece sits out back when her phone rings, It's the lawyer calling.
"Hello." Clairece says.
"Ms. Clairece, this is Mr. Huntington. I am your mother's attorney. I must apologize for any intrusion. I have an envelope I was supposed to give to you. I do apologize for forgetting it at the reading of the will."
"That's fine. When can I come pick it up?" Clairece asks, having nothing else to do, and looking for an excuse to leave the cabin.
"Anytime you would like, or I can mail it to you." He tells her.
"No, I would be happy to come get it. Will you be open today?" she asks looking at her watch, seeing its noon. "I could be there in a couple of hours."
"Yes, that is fine, I will be here until five this evening." He tells her.
"Awesome, I'll be there in a few hours." She tells him then hangs up the phone.
She goes inside and Dresses in her stretchy jeans, and cream sleeveless blouse and slips on her sneakers. She pours her coffee in a travel mug and hops in her truck. She starts it up and heads toward the highway.
# # # #
A few hours later, she pulls in the lawyer's parking lot. She hops out and walks inside. She stops at the receptionist's desk.
"Can I help you?" the lady asks as she looks Clairece up and down.
"Yes, I'm here to see Mr. Huntington." Clairece says as she spots her book on the desk. "Do you like the book, I hear it's kind of steamy." she smiles.
The receptionist blushes and calls for Mr. Huntington. He opens the door with a smile and invites Clairece in. Clairece walks in his office, and he closes the door. He gestures to the chair in front of his desk, and she sits. He takes his seat and opens his top drawer, pulling a large yellow envelope from the drawer.
"Do you know what's in it?" She asks him as he adjusts his glasses.
"No Ms. I do not, your mother gave it to me sealed and instructed me to give it to the daughter who took the box. I realized I had given the box to your sister by mistake. I do apologize." He explains with a bit of embarrassment.
"That's okay. How long have you been my mom's lawyer?" Clairece asks him as she takes the envelope.
"I have done business with your mother since her divorce from your father." He tells her. "I also handle the legal affairs of you as well."
"Really, what legal affairs?" She asks confused as to how he helped her.
"I am the attorney who handles your contract with the publishing house." He tells her. "Unless you wish to seek another attorney for the task."
"Absolutely not, you've done an excellent job." Clairece tells him not wanting to tamper, with what her mother has put in place for her. "How are you paid?"
"Your mother has my fees paid from your account automatically. She wanted to make sure you were taken care of in her absence." He explains how it works. "I do ask we fill out a new agreement since your mother has passed. I assure you the only change is the signature at the bottom."
"So, the fees will not increase?" Clairece asks him.
"An increase in fees was in the original contract." He sets the old contract on his desk, with the new contract beside it.
"Do you mind if I read them?" She asks him as she watches his face.
"Absolutely not Ms. I would recommend it." He says with a stone expression on his face.
She reads over the two contracts with eagle eyes. She sees both contracts are the same except her name replaces her mother's. She takes a pen and signs it. He takes both contracts and places them in his desk.
"Is there anything else Mr. Huntington?" She asks as she stands.
"Yes, would you be willing to sign a book for me. Your mother always brought me one. She unfortunately passed before I could get your newest book signed."
"Mr. Huntington, I would not have guessed you liked the spicey stuff." She smiles at him as he blushes brightly.
"It is for my wife Grace." he says as he adjusts his glasses and sets the book on his desk.
She takes the pen and signs the book and decides not to torture him anymore. He slides it back into his desk and stands to escort her from his office.
"Thank you for autographing the book for me, if you need anything further do not hesitate to call." He tells her then closes his door.
She walks out and slides into the seat of the truck then opens the envelope. She finds a letter from her mom and a key to a safety deposit box from her bank. She pulls out of the drive and heads to her bank.
# # # #
She pulls in the parking lot in front of the bank, taking the envelope inside. The bank isn't busy, and she quickly reaches the teller.
"Can I help you?" The young woman behind the counter asks.
"Yes, I need to open my box." Clairece says sliding the paper for the box to the teller.
"You will need to see him." The woman points to a man at a desk.
"Thank you." Clairece says, taking the paper and the envelope.
She walks up to the desk and he stands up, gesturing for her to sit. Then he takes his seat, and she slides the paper to him. He looks it over and asks for her identification. She hands him her driver's license and he begins typing on the computer. He verifies all the information and hands everything back.
"If you would follow me Ms. Harbor." He says and leads her from the lobby.
He leads her to a room full of boxes. He takes her key and a key he has and opens a door. he slides the box out and sets it on a table in the room. She opens the lid and looks inside.
"Will you need anything else Ms. Harbor." he asks her.
She dumps the contents in the envelope and slides the box to him.
"I won't need the box anymore." She looks at him with a grin as he stands in shock.
"As you wish." He says locking the box up and escorts her to the lobby.
He returns to his desk as she walks out the door. She hops in her truck and looks around. she doesn't see anyone. She looks inside the envelope and pulls out a small book. A piece of paper with the combination to the safe, and a letter from her mother. It read,
Clairece, if you are reading this. Mr. Huntington has given you the envelope and the key. In here is the combination to the safe. There is also a diary, it talks about Oscar and the interesting shit that happened after I got him. Try not to judge me to harshly and don't be shocked. Also don't act like a child, you are grown now. Put him in the safe until you have read it all the way through. You will understand when you read the diary. One more very important thing, you must not tell anyone, especially your sister. Now enjoy life my sweet Clairece.
Clairece starts her truck and pulls from the parking lot and heads for the cabin.
# #. #. #
Clairece flies into the driveway and sees a dark blue car and a white truck. She walks toward the door and a man is trimming up the yard. She walks in and sees two women, one holding a ladder and another on it. They are cleaning the high ceiling. another woman is polishing the wood stairs. She walks in the kitchen to find a woman cleaning the floors in the kitchen.
"Excuse me, who are you people?" Clairece asks confused.
"I am Rachel, I own Cabin Services. I apologize for not calling a head, but I wasn't sure if you had moved in already. I know you haven't signed a new contract yet, but the existing contract is still in effect until the end of the year."
"No, it's fine, I was going to call about the services, but I got sidetracked. I do intend on having you continue to take care of the cabin. I do live here full time now." Clairece explains to her.
"I do apologize; do you have time to discuss it right now?" Rachel asks.
"Absolutely, let me grab a cup of coffee, and we can talk out back." Clairece explains.
"Excellent, I need to get some things from my car, and I'll meet you out back."
Clairece recues her favorite cup from the sink and makes her coffee, she adds her peppermint mocha creamer, stirs it and puts the spoon in the sink. With the envelope in her hand, she walks out back.
The lady from cabin services was in her late thirties, had dark brown hair and brown eyes. She is probably 5'9" and a little thick. She had a bright smile and an honest face. She brings a small computer bag with her; she opens it on the table. She pulls up a page and begins marking what services Clairece was needing. Clairece signs on a pad plugged into it and sets up automatic payments.
