Little Black Book Duty

I was told the funeral was the worst they had ever been to. We listened to everyone but the close family share what they thought they knew about Dad because Mum didn't know what to write. Everyone attending thought he was a perfect, caring, and sharing man because of the fake image they set up throughout our lives. So far, that was not my experience as his daughter. I had lived through manipulation through money and gifts and he would allow men into my life and try to have them take advantage of me. Dad lived a selfish and independent life from the family but gave the image of being the perfect family man. I kept myself safe through studying, working hard and getting my life on track without his help. He left looking after mum to me because my sister had run off with another of her boyfriends who was taking advantage of her.

The only reason I went to the funeral was because I was told if I didn't attend I was not allowed to attend the reading of the Will afterwards, and my concern for mum was what drove me to going. Mum had been diagnosed with dementia and was getting worse. Someone had to take over caring for her and the financal matters because Dad had paid the bills, but he didn't care what happened to her. I don't know when be last saw her. All he did was organise people to care for her and pay them.

He died driving wrecklessly in one of his many cars. He had two children left alive. The eldest Son died of a heart attack at fifty two because of his drug abuse from his life being hidden and the abuse he endured at his father's hands. The youngest died at three days old of complications - she was lucky. I was the second eldest and the younger sister used to do drugs with the older brother, and is bi-polar or something like that, with her off the wall behaviour and changing boy friends like underwear.

How was this going to play out. Our mum had dementia and didn't know what she was doing. I was the only sane one left.

They waited until the morning tea was over after the funeral and the pleasantries and visitors had left. Mum was taken home and sat in her lay back chair, given a foot massage by the 'doting grand-daughter' who was now bi-polar from her drug abuse, and after her money. Mum was given a cup of tea and sandwich by someone else and she sat there and talked about Dad as if he had just gone out for a drive. The only thing she needed was the servants standing behind her waving fans for it to be out of a movie.

The solicitor asked my sister and I to come into the formal dining room. My sister was high, as normal, and had no idea what was going on. He read the will and stated that the Black Book had to be followed to the letter or the money would be given to charity. Dad was a millionaire in assets and had a good amount invested - he had been living the dream off his super.

What was I going to do. It stated that we had to follow the Little Black Book or every cent would be given away. What would happen to mum. He was having his last manipulation of me. Dad knew that my sister was incapable. I was the only one with any brain left to be able to meet his demands.

Ok, what did the black book have to say. I left mum with the extended family and went for a drive. I parked at the top of the lookout and thought about driving over it. How did it come to this. Dad was having his last laugh at me with this manipulation. He hated that he couldn't control me and that I was smarter than he thought and got on with my life.

I read the first few pages and was astounded. He expected me to marry his friend's son, Anthony, and if I didn't mum would become destitute. What should I do. I was just getting my career on track. Anthony wanted the model wife to be on his arm and play the game of the perfect family, just like Dad. How could I go ahead with it. I don't think I could live like mum did. She lost her identity and became a shell of herself. No wonder she was loosing her marbles.

I would sleep on it and finish reading it and work out if there was a way out. What more could I do. I still had to go back to the house and settle Mum for the night. Everyone else would go home, and with no money to pay the carers, I would have to do it.