Upon hearing of your father's death, I attended his funeral. It was then that I realized how despicable I had been. Your father had lived a meager existence carrying on his dream and preparing his daughter to continue the legacy. Those were the exact words you used in praise of your father during the ceremony. I now see that your love for you son and the wish to continue in your father's footsteps consume you as they did your father.
My dear Nan, I truly apologize for my lack of judgment, my greed, my cowardice. I am ashamed.
Because my will stipulates bequeathal of my assets to my wife, patent ownership flows to my heirs and assigns as well. You will never realize a stipend from your father's efforts. I can, however, offer something in its place.
Please check the lower left hand corner of the top drawer of your file cabinet in your office. You will find a small black velvet bag. The contents within were given to me by an appreciative client. Cash them in. Their value is more than enough to enable you to purchase the mortuary land. Even though I deprived your father of the income he so rightfully deserved, and subsequently caused stress in your life, I ask that you accept this as a token of forgiveness.
You have been blessed with a child who will go farther than you can ever imagine. Your strength will guide you. Never doubt you are walking the correct path.
By the time you receive this, I will have gone on to my final destination.
Respectfully,
Theopholis Jamison Peter.
–
Nan held the letter to her chest before rereading it. Her finger traced the signature. A tear welled and landed on her hand. How could someone have done this to her father?
Standing, Nan turned the envelope over and wondered where it had come from. She walked over to the file cabinet and tugged on the top drawer. She pulled the file folders forward as far as they would go and felt along the back of the drawer. There it was. Her fingers curled around the soft bag.
35
"I still can't believe it,” Jane said. “Did you verify the diamonds are legitimate?"
"Absolutely.” Nan said. “I took them to a diamond broker in St. Paul. He offered to buy them on the spot, but I got a second opinion. I sold them to the highest bidder."
Sadie sat against the back of one of the sofas. Nan, Jane, and Aanders sat on the opposing sofa in the lobby.
Aanders’ exuberance had him bouncing from a sitting position to standing at the edge of the sofa to squatting on his knees by the coffee table. When he couldn't contain himself any longer, he repeated the circuit before plopping down next to his mother.
"Mom said I can get a new bike and we're going to take a trip and I get to…"
Nan interrupted, “Settle down, young man. You're going to pop a blood vessel with all that excitement."
Squirming, he started up again. “A man left a bag of diamonds to Mom. The man cheated grampa out of lots of money and felt guilty so he gave Mom the diamonds."
Holding a hand up to silence Aanders, Nan said, “I'll tell you all about that in a few minutes. First I've got something to tell Sadie and Jane. I'm obviously in a position to purchase the mortuary land if you'd still like to sell it."
Jane looked at Sadie as her sister nodded in agreement. “Of course we'll sell it."
Sadie smiled and returned Nan's embrace as Nan hugged her in appreciation. “I'm so happy for you, dear. We both are."
"Thank you, Sadie. You don't know how relieved I am. Our future is finally secure. I'll never be able to thank you for all you've done.” Her fingers kneaded the envelope resting on her lap. “You've been part of our family ever since I can remember. I know my father would agree. I couldn't ask for better friends."
"Me either,” Aanders said. “You're like a grandmother to me. You, too, Jane."
"Tell us all about it,” Jane said. “I can't wait to hear everything."
"It's right here in this envelope.” Nan waved it in the air. Grinning, she added, “Can you imagine this letter and a tiny black bag can hold the key to someone's future?"
She pulled the letter out and unfolded it. “May I read it to you?” Seeing their nods, she added, “Aanders hasn't heard everything yet, either. I've not told him the details."
Jane sat on the edge of the sofa and put her arm around Aanders. She pecked his cheek and smoothed his hair as Nan began to read.
After reading a few paragraphs, Nan paused. “Are you doing okay, Aanders?"
Aanders nodded. He signaled for her to continue.
She finished reading and held the letter to her chest. “I know my father would be pleased. I still don't know how he got wind that Theopholis Peter had filed the patent it in his name. I guess I'll never know. But the fact that Mr. Peter admitted it would make my father happy."
Sadie smiled her ‘isn't that wonderful smile’ at Nan and crossed her arms over her chest, trying to hold her composure. The last three words Nan read had thrown her for a loop. A double loop. Theopholis Jamison Peter.
How could Theo have hidden the fact that he knew Nan 's father? He hadn't wanted her to figure it out and had used generic references when he commented on his past. Sadie was astounded. Had she lost her edge? The last time she saw Theo, she still believed he intended to take the diamonds with him.
It was rare Sadie's crossers deceived her, but this time she'd gladly admit to being the fool. She had lectured Theo on the hopelessness of seeking revenge and trusted her words had played a part in his change of heart. Now she understood the real reason Theo had landed on her porch. Sadie regretted not giving him the credit he deserved.
Jane sat with her mouth wide open as Aanders gasped, “What?"
Their heads swiveled back and forth while they looked at each other and then at Sadie.
Nan repeated, “Theopholis Jamison Peter. That's quite a fancy name, isn't it?"
"Theo,” Aanders said quietly, staring at Sadie.
Sadie nodded and then turned toward her sister. “Close your mouth, Jane. You're teeth are going to fall out again. You don't want to walk around for a week without dentures like you did last time."
Jane's head slowly rotated toward Sadie. Seeing the warning glare, she said, “No. No, I don't.” Under her breath she looked at Sadie and said, “Theo?"
"I suppose that was what he went by,” Nan said. “Theopholis is hard to say. It's a tongue twister."
Jane sat back and pulled Aanders with her. She took his hand and held it in her lap. Reaching across Aanders, she said, “Can we see the letter?"
Sadie watched the two reread the letter. She winked twice at Aanders as he looked up for reassurance.
"I'd have given anything to have talked with my father about his patent design. I'm not surprised the patent was related to the medical profession. He was always trying to improve upon medical devices,” Nan said. “I wonder if Theo was in the medical profession too. He must have been. If only Aanders and I could have met him."
Sadie smiled at Aanders. She stood to embrace the young man who in the past few minutes had come to realize the intricacies of dealing with the crossers. They not only held secrets, they carried the potential to deeply impact the future of the living.
This was a turn of events she couldn't have predicted. Theo had grown during his journey, overcoming the armor of bitterness he built over the years. Rodney met the fate he deserved. Tim and Michael followed their hearts-Tim rejoined his parents and Michael braved the unknown. Lora apparently chose to rejoin her son.
Relaxing against the softness of the sofa, Sadie gazed out the window toward Cabin 14. A man in a hospital gown stood on her porch. A breeze parted the back of his gown, raising it above his waist. The man tugged at it pulling it tight around his hips. He edged closer to the railing and scanned the marina. He backed up as Belly butted through the screen door to greet him and sniff his bare feet.