The Inheritance

The Inheritance

Kyle opened his mailbox and found a thick envelope scrunched inside. Those large envelopes are so annoying. Why do mail carriers feel obliged to push them in? They are as hard to get out as they must be to cram inside the small box.

As he walked away, Kyle noticed that the envelope was from Smith, Harrison and Smythe, Solicitors. Solicitors? What could it be? Why are some lawyers sending me thick envelopes?

Once at home in his apartment, Kyle ripped the envelope open.

Inside? A letter and a little black book. The book was worn, clearly old and very well used.

After reading the letter, Kyle picked up the phone. “Mom, hey! Who is great uncle William?”

“He’s my father’s brother. Bit of a recluse. Why do you ask?”

“I just received a letter from his solicitors. He died. In his will, he left me his little black book. Did you know he died?”

“No. He was close to my father, but since Dad died I haven’t heard anything about or from Uncle William. I didn’t see him very often. He was a very private man. What was in the letter?”

“His lawyers asked me to read his book and then phone them to set up an appointment.”

“That’s interesting … and odd. I wonder why you need to read the book first.”

“I don’t know, but I’m very curious now. I’m going to start reading it while supper’s in the oven. I just wondered what you might now about this.”

“Have a good read. Give me a call tomorrow, huh? I’m kind of curious myself.”

“Okay. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”

While supper cooked, Kyle moved the elastic and opened the book. He flipped through before starting to read. It was his uncle’s diary. Not an appointment book, but a diary. No daily entries, but many entries. Kyle flipped through and noticed the entries covered years. The first entry was dated for William’s twenty-first birthday.

“Sept 3, 1961: Today I am 21. My father gave me this book and suggested that I write notes about momentous dates in my life. I am now a man fully grown. Father thinks that making notes about those important days will help me understand the fabric of my life.”

As Kyle read on intrigued – wondering what days made the cut. Eating and reading. Curling up on the sofa and reading. He couldn’t put the book down. Uncle William wasn’t a great writer, but the intrigue – which days he considered important, significant, that caught Kyle’s imagination.

New jobs, new friends, family events – all recorded. Then an entry popped out:

“July 15, 1964: Today I met Mark. He’s different than anyone I ever knew. We hit it off right away. Went out for dinner and talked till late at night. It’s like I have known him forever. We have so much in common, but still so much that is different. Perhaps he could be the one for me. I wonder if he is.”

Uncle William was gay? Kyle couldn’t believe it. No wonder his grandfather never said much about him. There’s no way his rigid grandfather would accept this. Kyle thought back on all those visits with his grandparents. Loving people, but they were not very tolerant. Opinions from the old ways of thinking. Lots of prejudices.

Wow. Kyle began to wonder – what kind of life did Uncle William have? How did he live back then as a gay man?

As he read on, Kyle realized that Uncle William didn’t share much with anyone – not his family for sure. Over the years, William and Mark became a couple. They took vacations to Europe, Hawaii, and Mexico. Never lived together, but travelled, hung out. Took lots of day trips.

It got late, but Kyle couldn’t book the book down. Then the saddest entry:

“Nov. 21, 1994: Mark died today. AIDS finally got him. I thought that the AZT he was taking would cure him or at least keep him alive. I guess not. Mark’s parents arranged to pick up his body from the hospital. I introduced myself as one of Mark’s friends. They stared at me. Right through me. I felt invisible. I asked them when and where they would hold the funeral. They thanked me and asked me not to attend. They do not want to talk about his life. They will have a small funeral just for their immediate family.

I left them and went home. Alone. My heart is broken. I thought Mark and I would grow old together. We’ve had so many adventures together. They all end today. What will I do for the rest of my life?”

Kyle started to tear up. How sad. Why didn’t Uncle William ever reach out to us? Did his mother know?

Next morning, Kyle phoned his mom before heading off to work.

“Hey Kyle – how was Uncle William’s diary? Interesting reading?”

“You could say that. How much did you know about Uncle William? Any family secrets?”

“Not really. Your grandfather didn’t talk about him very much. They visited each other from time to time, but never when we were there. As a child, he used to come over for dinner maybe once or twice a year. We never spent holidays together. Why? Did Uncle William write anything about us?”

“Well, Mom – here’s a surprise: Uncle William was gay. Did you know that?”

“Really? Are you teasing me?”

“No. He really was gay. He had a boyfriend – or rather man friend named Mark. They were sort of together for 30 years. You didn’t know?”

“Wow. No. I had no idea.”

“Ya, they travelled together. Spent lots of time together. They didn’t live together, so I guess that’s how they kept it on the low down.”

“Holy Cow. I had no idea. Have you finished his diary?”

“Yes. I couldn’t sleep until I finished it. I’m going to phone those solicitors and set up that appointment.”

“I wonder if I could go with you.”

“I don’t know, but I’ll ask. Gotta head out to work. Talk to you later, huh?”

“OK. Have a good day.”

Kyle headed out for work. At lunch he phoned his uncle’s solicitors.

“Hi. This is Kyle Johnston. I received a diary and letter from your firm. I have finished reading the diary and need to set up an appointment to meet with you.”

“Could you come in on Monday at 4pm?”

“Sure. Monday afternoon, 4pm. My mother would like to accompany me. Is this possible?”

“I’m sorry, but your uncle’s will is specific that you should come alone.”

“OK. See you Monday.”

When he got home, Kyle phoned his mom right away.

“I’m going to the solicitors on Monday afternoon. I have to go alone. No idea why.”

“Wow. This has been very surprising. Let’s meet for supper Monday night. I can’t wait to see you and find out what this is all about.”

Monday at 4pm, Kyle was waiting in the solicitor’s office, black book in hand. Mr. Smythe invited Kyle into his office.

“Kyle, you’re probably a bit surprised by this I guess?”

“Yes sir. I didn’t know Uncle William very well. Actually, I didn’t know him at all.”

“Yes, your uncle was a very private man. I have his Last Will and Testament here. I need to go over it with you. Would you please have a seat?”

Once seated, Mr. Smythe opened a folder on his desk. “Your uncle left specific instructions. You have read his black notebook?”

“Yes. It was very interesting. I learned a lot about his life. It was very surprising.”

“I’m not sure what your great uncle wrote in his black book. He specifically requested that you read it. Since you have, he left a final sealed letter for you which I have here in his file.”

Kyle took the letter, broke the seal and read it. Mr. Smythe continued, “Your great uncle left you $20,000. I have taken care of filing his Will for probate and everything is completed. Here is a certified cheque for you. I suggest you take it to the bank right away.”

“Wow. Thank you so much.”

“You’re most welcome. I am curious about the notebook and the letter. He was specific that it was private between him and you as his heir.”

“Well, he was a private man. The notebook details big events in his life. It was both interesting and a little sad. I wish he had been more open with us, his family.”

“Interesting. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“What happened to Uncle William’s body? Can we have a funeral or a memorial service?”

“He arranged for a natural burial. His body was interred at the Evergreen Forest cemetery. He didn’t want a funeral or memorial service. As his executor, I was instructed to carry out his wishes before informing you. I was instructed to send you the letter and notebook. When we met, I was to give you his final letter. That’s all I know.”

“Very good then. Thank you. I’m meeting my mother for supper. I think we’ll have an interesting talk.”

Kyle headed out for restaurant. During supper, he read the letter to his mom.

“Kyle,

You might wonder why I have left you my notebook and the money. I heard from your grandfather before his died that you had come out. Your grandfather was not very happy about it but thought I might understand.

I admire your courage. With our family, I am sure that coming out was not an easy decision.

I thought about telling you about my life many times. I have been so private and used to being private that it’s a hard habit to break. I decided to share my life experiences with you through my notebook. You don’t have to keep it secret. Most of the people I knew and loved have passed on. The need for privacy is over.

I wish you a better life than mine. At least, I hope it’s more open. With the changes in our world, you have a chance for a more open life.

Please use the money to do something fun and exciting.

I wish you a happy life,

Uncle William”

“There you go Mom. That’s the big secret. After Mark died, Uncle William retreated into himself and his memories. There are very few notes in his diary after Mark’s death. It’s so sad.”

“I guess so. I hope you never feel you have to be so private and secretive, OK?”

“Thanks Mom. I really appreciate you and your support. So here’s the big news – Uncle William left me $20,000. Can you believe it? I’m supposed to use it for something fun and exciting.”

“Wow. What are you going to do?”

“I’m putting it in a travel fund. I think Hawaii, Europe, the Mediterranean, and Mexico all sound like fun trips for the future, huh? Perhaps even Egypt - see the pyramids. Maybe I’ll meet Mr. Right.”

“Sounds wonderful. I hope you do.”