Simon Says: I am categorizing this as exhibitionist, but it could easily also be a little romance, mature, or a number of other items. You will see some hints. I already have a bulk of Chapter 2 done so expect that soon.
As always, I am about the slow burn/ character development. This story has teasing but no sex. Hang in there and happy reading.
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Life can sometimes pitch you some unusual surprises. Most people anticipate at least some unexpected events to pop up every now and then, but usually these surprises might be things like: "I didn't expect to find this twenty-dollar bill in my pocket! Yay me!" Or it might be "Wow! I haven't seen her since high school! And here we are running into each other in the cereal aisle!"
For me, the surprise revealed itself slowly over time and as a result my life took a decidedly very different path. And I really harbor no regrets at all.
It all began one mid-March morning when I received a call.
"Hello. Is this Mr. Thomas Andrews?"
"Sure is. What can I do for you?"
"You are the Mr. Thomas Andrews who is a nephew of Mr. Gerald Perkins of Parkersburg, West Virginia?"
"Yes. Correct. What is this in regards to? Is Uncle Gerry ok?"
"I apologize, Mr. Andrews. This is Jeanette Loving. I am Mr. Perkins' lawyer. I am heading towards your home now but wanted to give you a heads up. Do you have about thirty minutes that you can spend with me? I assure you all will be clear then."
"Sure."
I was hopeful that Uncle Gerry was ok. I had spent a lot of my childhood and some of my teenage years at his house with Aunt Carolyn. They really were an amazingly nice couple. And since they had no children of their own (I never knew why) I became a semi-adopted kid for them. Then tragedy struck a bit over twenty-five years ago: Aunt Carolyn passed away in her early forties. I don't think Gerry ever recovered. He continued to write me (old style approach of actual hand-written letters) a few times a year but never talked much about himself or what he was doing. Mostly he just asked questions about me, spent a little time talking about Carolyn and then focused a lot on the good times we had when I used to stay with them.
Because of him, I actually hand-wrote letters back. He is the only one that would receive those, so don't get excited there.
Even more difficult: he kind of broke off ties with the rest of the family (including my mom, his sister). I think he didn't want anyone to see him as weak or something. He ended up living in West Virginia and asked that none of us visit him. I saw him at general family gatherings three total times in the last two and a half decades.
Regardless, I imagined a lawyer showing up at my house under mysterious circumstances, somehow connected to my uncle, probably only meant one of a few things.
Turns out that one of my guesses was correct.
Ms. Loving looked to be in her forties, blond curling hair that didn't quite reach her shoulders, relaxed and easy-going eyes and a very polite, respectful and business only attitude. She was a very pleasant woman, just very serious and a little formal.
"I am sorry Mr. Andrews. Mr. Perkins passed peacefully two days ago in his home. A friend found him the next morning. I am very sorry for your loss." She attempted to look consolingly at me.
I admit I felt a bit of shock. Ms. Loving continued to look at me expectantly. I am guessing it was my turn . . .
"I didn't know of Uncle Gerry having any health concerns. Actually, he was in great shape for being nearly seventy." I paused. "I guess it was just his time. He had lived decades without his wife so maybe it was time to go home."
Ms. Loving continued to look at me kindly as I worked through a bit out loud. I regained focus.
"Thank you for letting me know, Ms. Loving, but I admit I am a little confused as to why his lawyer is delivering this news in person."
She nodded and rested her hands in her lap. "Of course, Mr. Andrews . . . "
"Please call me Tom," I interjected.
She forced a smile. "Thank you. And I am Jeanette." I nodded as she prepared to begin again.
"Mr. Perkins has listed you as the one who inherits the bulk of his remaining estate."
"I am confused, honestly. I haven't seen Uncle Gerry in years."
"As you are aware, Mr. Perkins did not have any heirs to his estate. And with his wife passed and the fact that he never remarried, the provision lists you as the main beneficiary."
I suppose that makes sense. Sort of.
"I am sure you will have more questions as we go, but he has two properties -- a condo in Parkersburg and an outdoors resort called Eden Woods, a little less than an hour outside of Parkersburg in Wilkes, West Virginia. He also has a small amount of savings that has been split between you and one other beneficiary. Your share amounts to $15,000." I had no idea where Wilkes was but Parkersburg was about an hour from me, so it was only a few hours drive from here at most, depending on which direction.
"An outdoors resort?"
"Yes," her brows briefly furrowed, "I could not find any information advertising it online and when I called the number a Ms. Cami Franklin answered and described it as a family outdoors resort. I will give you the name and number. I am afraid that even as his lawyer I was not made aware of its existence." I just nodded.
What in the world am I going to do with an outdoors resort? Not sure I even know what that means.
"Mr. Andr . . . I mean Tom, here are the main documents you will need to sign." Jeanette brought me out of my thoughts.
As I took the documents and glanced at them, I asked, "isn't there usually something more official than this? Like a reading of a will?"
Briefly a small smile came to her face, "yes, normally, but Mr. Perkins merely made three bullet points on a piece of paper and sent it to me in a sealed envelope to be opened at his passing. He also left instructions for me to visit each of the two beneficiaries personally."
"Am I allowed to know who the other person was?"
She nodded, "Ms. Cami Franklin at the resort. I am actually thankful that I spoke with her when I researched the resort for you as Mr. Perkins gave me very little information on her when he sent me his wishes. I will be heading over there next."
After I finished signing, Jeanette assured me that all transfers and such would be done within a week. She also asked if she should give my contact information to Ms. Franklin since she at the very least was living (but likely was actually also working) at the resort I now owned.
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The resort really was off the beaten path, and without my smart phone maps app I doubt I could have found it. At least the address Ms. Franklin gave me registered immediately.
The final turn took me down a gravel road with dense woods on either side, with really only enough room for one and half cars at a time. Essentially it was a very very long driveway. If anyone left the property at the same time as someone entering, then someone was going to be pulling very close to some trees on the side of the road.
Admittedly, though, this felt like a very peaceful setting. Beautiful mix of hardwoods and Pines filled in most of the spaces on either side of the road. And with my windows down and a slight breeze, I could smell the hint of Pine mixed with Cedar in the air, which I always enjoyed.
Finally, the quarter mile bumpy road brought me into an opening in the woods with a large-ish lodge of sorts immediately in front of me and a few branching roads to either side heading off into the woods. I could see some trails around the clearing and what looked like an amphitheater and a lovely decent sized small lake with an actual beach at the base of a cove with other various types of recreational equipment and such parked around the opening.
Ms. Franklin had provided few directions once I got onto the property, so I assumed the lodge was the destination. I parked next to the only other car in front of the house (a two-door yellow Jeep wrangler) and made my way to the front door.
I had my hand up poised to knock when the door opened revealing a pretty blonde, probably in her early to mid twenties, no more than thirty, smiling wide at me. She wore a lovely blue-ish flowered sundress that sat off the shoulders.
"You must be Mr. Andrews! Welcome to Eden Woods!" She immediately (and rather enthusiastically) shook my hand. This one had a lot of energy.
Over my initial surprise I smiled back, "thanks. It is great to be here. Ms. Franklin?"
She nodded, "yes sir. But it's Camdyn. Please just call me Cami. Come on back and let's chat."
Before I could respond, my host turned and led me into the house, through a sort of reception area to a large living room with lots of seating, game tables and a large television screen on one wall. I had noticed her bare feet slapped on the hardwood floor, and so left my shoes behind at the door before walking quickly to catch up with her in the living room area.
I did notice that there were some conspicuously blank spaces on the walls where it seemed there usually were paintings or pictures. Maybe they were Uncle Gerry's things and the staff felt the need to remove them. In transition, that sort of thing.
We settled on a set of comfortable chairs.
"So, Mr. Andrews, . . . "
"Please, just call me Tom."
"Ok, Tom, I first would like to wish you condolences for your loss."
"Well, thank you Cami, but I wish to do the same. I am sure you grew at least somewhat close to my uncle while working here."
The smiling demeanor faulted for a moment. She nodded, showing a little sadness, but then forced a smile back on.
"Thank you. I would say Gerry and I had become good friends over the last six years." I nodded sympathetically. "But I am sure you also would like to talk about this beautiful resort you just inherited too. I am sure it came as a surprise!"
Her energy level looked to be on high. Honestly, she seemed rather wound tight.
"It sure did. While I always loved my uncle, I am still confused as to why he left me a resort that up until four days ago, I did not even know existed." She was leaning forward and listening closely.
"So maybe as I ask questions about this place, maybe that will become clearer. At least I hope so."
