The story of the day is that I was the only one who took Grandma’s favorite dog and discovered out the secret she left behind while my family fought over her will.
After Grandma passed away, my family hurried to her house to look for her will. I was the only one who took Grandma’s old dog home. I didn’t know she had more than just memories of her. A few days later, I found Grandma’s secret in a place that no one else would have thought to look.
To bring my full family together, you either have to wait for someone to die or throw a lot of money in front of them. Sadly, it was both that day.
I saw Grandma being buried down in the dirt.
Berta pulled ahead like she wanted to catch Grandma, but I held on to her leash securely.
Grandma’s dog was Berta. Grandma used to say that Berta was her best friend and the only person she could really trust. When I was a kid, she bought her.
Grandma was a sweet lady, but she was obviously a little picky.
She had made a lot of money over the years, but she never gave her kids or grandkids a single cent.
She paid for everyone’s school instead. She believed that everyone should be able to get by on their own, starting with nothing, just like she did.
So, up until that day, my mom, uncle, aunt, and their kids never talked to Grandma or even brought her up.
I asked each person a question and looked at their face. I knew why they were all there. Cash.
They at least wanted to get something after Grandma died. But I knew her, so it wouldn’t be that easy.
I had to live with Grandma because she was very sick for the last six months of her life.
I did it, even though it was hard to accomplish when I was a nurse.
I knew Grandma was thankful that someone was there for her when things were challenging.
But she didn’t help me at all. One day I got a large charge for fixing my car.
“I don’t know how I’m going to pay for this,” I said to her.
“You are strong, girl.” Grandma said, “You’ll be fine.”
I didn’t expect anything else, of course. She didn’t make any exceptions, not even for me. But I was grateful for her help and suggestions.
Everyone gathered to Grandma’s house after the funeral to hear the will. I had already packed my belongings because I knew my family.
I knew I couldn’t stay at her place. While we waited for the lawyer to arrive, we all just stood there and glared at each other with cold, hostile eyes.
Aunt Florence then looked at me, perhaps because she was bored. “Remind me, Meredith, what kind of doctor are you?” she inquired. “
“I am a nurse,” I said.
“Uncle Jack replied again, horrified, “A nurse?” “That’s not how you’ll make money.” He pointed to my family, who were sitting with their noses in the air, and added, “Alice owns several beauty salons, and Tom has his own car company.”
“I help people.” I said, “That’s enough for me.”
Mom whispered gently, “I can’t believe I gave birth to her.”
I only called her three times a year: on her birthday, my birthday, and Christmas.
All of a sudden, the doorbell rang. I opened the door myself when I realized that no one would answer.
Mr. Johnson, the lawyer in charge of Grandma’s will, was standing there. I took him to the quiet sitting area for the family in the living room.
I told Mr. Johnson to sit down, but he respectfully replied no and stayed at the door to the living room.
He said in a calm manner, “I won’t take up much of your time.” “There’s not a lot to say.”
“Do you mean there’s not much to say?” What about the will? Mom asked, sounding angry.
“Someone must have taken something from her,” Uncle Jack stated with worry.
“It looks like Cassandra didn’t agree,” Mr. Johnson said in a chilly voice.
“What do you mean?” Aunt Florence asked.
Mr. Johnson replied in a stern voice, “Cassandra won’t leave anything for any of you.”
People gasped angrily in the room.
“How could that ever be possible? We are her family! So, who will get the cash and the house? Mom yelled.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you that,” Mr. Johnson said. “I need everyone to get out of the house right now.”
But no one did anything.
“That old witch!” Uncle Jack yelled. “Even though I knew our mother didn’t love us, she didn’t leave us a single penny when she died?”
“Don’t say that,” I said right away. “Grandma was worried about us. She basically showed that she cared about everyone in her own way.
“That’s right,” Mom responded in a gentle voice. “She is still a witch, just like she was when she was alive.”
At that point, Berta barked very loudly.
“That makes sense.” What are we going to do with the dog? Aunt Florence inquired.
“Put her down,” Mom replied in a stern voice.
“Yes,” Uncle Jack answered. “Anyway, she’s really old.”
“She can’t be put down!” I yelled.
What do you think we should do with her? “It’s better than leaving her on the street,” Mom added.
Berta was Grandma’s favorite. I said, “Someone has to take her.”
There was a lot of sour laughter in the room.
“Take her if you want her,” Mom said. “That woman didn’t care about us.” What does her dog mean to us?
I said, “I can’t take her because my lease doesn’t let pets.”
Uncle Jack then remarked, “It’s settled; we’ll put her down.”
“Tom? Hey, Alice? I turned to my cousins because I was desperate.
Tom waved me off. Alice shook her head. “Nope.” “I won’t let an animal with fleas into my house,” she said.
I let out a deep 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, get out of the house.” He told her, “You can’t be here anymore.”
“And who has the right to that?” Mom shouted. “This is the house we grew up in!”
“Don’t make me call the police,” Mr. Johnson said.
They all grabbed up their things, complained, and left one by one. I helped Berta get into the back seat of the car after she had gathered her items and put them away. After that, I drove back to my place.
Even though he raised the rent a little, I was happy that my landlord allowed me keep Berta for a while.
I was ready for the chance that we would wind up on the street.
Berta missed Grandma as much as I did. Grandma was the only person in our family who really helped me.
She assisted me with my homework, asked about my job all the time, and was thrilled every time a patient got better. I really missed her.
One night, while I was working at the hospital, someone knocked on my door.
I stopped moving when I opened it. My mom was there.
“Mom? What brought you here? I asked.
“I know you have it!” She screamed.
“What do you mean?” “What?” I asked.
My mom yelled, “I know you got everything from Grandma.”
“Berta was all I had,” I said.
She asked, “What?” since she didn’t get it.
I told them about Grandma’s dog, Berta.
My mom said, “Don’t lie to me!” For the past six months, you’ve been living with her. You must have gotten what you needed from her! She continued again, “You were always her favorite granddaughter.”
“Grandma didn’t give me any money, just like she didn’t give you any,” I added.
“You’re not telling the truth!” “Stop!” my mom shouted. “Where is it?” I gave you life! I really need that money!
“I don’t have anything!” Water rushed down my face.
“We’ll see about that, witch!” My mom departed after she spat.
I couldn’t stop crying, so I collapsed to the floor and shut the door. Berta sat on my lap, as if to soothe me.
When I saw something on her collar, I started to pet her. I turned Berta’s collar inside out and took it off.
It featured the number 153 and an address engraved into the back. I made a face as I typed the address into my GPS.
The number looked like a locker and led you to the train station. But where could I find the locker key?
After that, I noticed that Berta’s collar tag could be opened. A tiny key fell into my hand when I opened it.
Without thinking, I went straight to the station. I found locker 153 and tried to open it using the key. It was correct.
I found a folder that said “For Meredith” when I unlocked the locker. There were some papers and a letter from Grandma inside. I took the note out and started to read it.
I gave all I had fought so hard for to a kind person who wouldn’t take advantage of others.
Anyone who committed to take care of Berta would get everything I own. And Meredith, I’m confident you would be that person.
You deserve the best because you’re the only one in our family that still acts like a good person. Your grandmother loves you.
I took the papers out of the folder after reading the note and discovered that they were Grandma’s will. It didn’t seem like it could be true.
“Ah! I knew you were keeping something from me! I heard my mom’s voice behind me.
I was astonished when I turned around. “I swear, I didn’t know anything,” I said.
Uncle Jack stated out of the blue, “So she really did leave everything to Meredith.”
“Why are you here?” Mom yelled.
“You didn’t think you were the smart one, sister.” Uncle Jack added, “I hired a private detective to follow Meredith.” “Please be nice and give the will to Meredith now.”
“No! You are my kid! Give it to me. My mom yelled.
Mr. Johnson made it clear that Meredith wouldn’t give it to anyone.
“And where do you come from?” Uncle Jack barked.
“The sensor on my phone told me when the locker opened,” Mr. Johnson stated. “I came as soon as I could because I have to do what Cassandra wants, and I thought something like this might happen.”
“I don’t care!” I’m Meredith’s mom! My mom said, “I have rights to the will.”
“The person who was in charge of taking care of Berta will get Cassie’s estate.” “You weren’t that person,” Mr. Johnson stated in a calm voice.
“Uncle Jack screamed, “I’ll take that flea-ridden dog if I have to!”
“It’s too late.” Meredith took Berta in without understanding that she would get anything in return. That was the primary thing the will said. Mr. Johnson continued, “And if any of you try to get in my way, you’ll have to deal with me and the police.”
I couldn’t say anything, so I just stood there with the folder in my hands, shaking.
“Come on, Meredith,” Mr. Johnson said, “we have a lot to talk about.” We walked to my car.
What caused her to act this way? Why do you want everyone to fight? I asked Mr. Johnson a question while we were in the car.
Mr. Johnson stated, “She wanted her money to go to a good person who would do good things with it.”
I nodded. I answered, “Then I’ll give the hospital the bigger part.”
It is now yours. He answered, “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 time.
