Will & Testament

Bailey's POV

After my mini break down, I sat in the middle of the living room surrounded by old photos my Papaw kept in an old cardboard box. My first mission here I would go to town and buy something to hold these pictures. I sip from my glass of wine, looking through the pictures when a loud knock interrupted me. I wipe away some stray tears, walking to the door.

I look out the window of the door, two men and a women stood there. The old man in front of them wore a dull brown suit. His grey balding head glistened in the hot sun from sweat. This must be Roy. Uncle Leroy stood with him a scowl on his face. The same one he always had when I was a kid. Tall like my Papaw, a trait that did not get passed down to me. He wore a plain T-shirt and jeans. His black greying hair held down by a cowboy hat.

His wife Donna stood next to him looking at me through the window a sad smile gracing her face. She also wore a plain t-shirt and jeans. Her dark hair pulled back. She always reminded me of a mother. She was the mothering type. Unfortunately, her and Leroy were never able to conceive. I unlock and open the door.

"Oh, child come here." Aunt Donna said with her thick southern accent, she had aged since I had last seen her. She hugged me tightly, her arms around my waist, I hugged her back gently. When she pulled from me, she took a step back.

"By gully, look at you all grown up! ‘Ur so beautiful!"

"Thank you." I tell her with a kind smile. She smacked her husband's arm. "Ain't she a looker! Never thought Jakey could make such a beauty!" I blush at her compliments. The short man, Roy, cleared his throat reaching his hand out for me to take. I shake it firmly.

"I'm Roy Johnson, I represent your grandfather's estate."

"I'm Bailey, nice to meet you." I give him the same kind smile I gave Aunt Donna. The man just smiled sadly at me. That same sad smile most people around here used to give me for my dad, now for Papaw. I hold back my tears.

"Leroy, you big brute, give your niece a hug."

Leroy reluctantly did, an awkward one-armed hug.

"May we come in?" Roy asked.

"Oh, yes, please." I say stepping to the side. Uncle Leroy walked in as if he owned the place making his way to the kitchen table.

I follow behind Aunt Donna and Roy. Once we were all seated Roy puts his brief case down on the table.

"So, Ms. Smit we have lots to discuss. We can do this privately or with your Uncle Leroy and Aunt Donna but they will be privy to most of what we speak about.

You are the only beneficiary of all Jack's Smitt's assets, lands, and life insurance. If you accept everything apart of your grandfathers will, then they will be your financial advisors, your trustee's. That is until you reach the age of 25 then you will have unlimited access to everything."

"Okay." I say keeping eye contact with him. Aunt Donna's hand found mine holding it softly. I felt comfort from her soft, motherly touch.

"Do you have any concerns regarding this?" He asks. I look from Donna to Leroy. "No, none whatsoever."

I had always loved Aunt Donna; she was such a sweet woman. Uncle Leroy was a stern country man that was slightly intimidating. With his stern look and flatlined lips. I knew that Papaw and Uncle Leroy were close from my summers here, I trusted them both.

"Then let's get at it, your grandad left you quite a bit so shall we go through the list?"

"Should we not wait until after the funeral?" I ask.

"We could, you could come with your family to my office next Monday."

"Let's get this done." Uncle Leroy sternly said. Roy looked between me and Uncle Leroy. I guess now was as good as any. Aunt Donna squeezes my hand, I look to her. Her eyes held an apology for her husband, without actually saying it.

I nod for Roy to continue.

"Well let's start with land? Shall we, you have now been given three thousand and eighty-six acres of land. Three thousand acres of that land is for cotton farming; It always has been. Jack would also like you to keep it that way. His family will farm the land and give you a portion of the end of year profit."

"Will that be necessary?" This caught Uncle Leroy's attention and he looked at me.

"I know, Leroy it's you, who farms it. I don't care if you farm it, but I don't need a share of the profit."

"You are such an amazing girl!" Aunt Donna gushed beside me. I would not feel right taking money from them just because they use Papaw's land, something the Smitt family has always done.

Uncle Leroy took off his cowboy hat, laying it down on the table. He did something I've never seen. He smiled! At me! He smiled at me, which I returned.

“Yes, the profit is a substantial amount, nearly a million dollars profit per harvest.”

My eyes bulge. “For cotton!?”

“Yes, when we go over your allowance you and Leroy can discuss what will be your portion of the harvest.”

"Okay.” Not really knowing what else to say. How in God’s name can cotton bring in so much?

"Okay, you also cannot now or ever sell the land to anyone outside of the Smitt family, do you agree?" I nod in agreement.

"The homestead is another story, your grandfather will allow you to sell the homestead, it is completely paid off, taxes on the home have been paid up for about five years, you will be reimbursed that if you choose to sell the homestead and just under three acres."

How could I sell this home? The home that my Papaw built for his family. What would I do with it at the same time? Would I live here in Bumble? Could I give up the city life to live here in Alabama? I guess I can make that choice once summer ends. I'm going back to California at the end of August to finish my last year of college. For now, I have time to process.

"I won't be selling it." I blurt out before I could stop myself. I felt Aunt Donna relax beside me. Even if I choose not to live my life here, surely the Smitt family can find something to do with it.

"Okay, furthermore the remainin’ eighty acres are wooded arches you cannot sell those either. All this land will go to you until death. If you do not have children at that time, then the land will revert to the oldest son in the Smitt family."

"Son? Why son?" I ask.

"That is what is in his last will and testament, my dear."

I just nod. Stopping myself from shaking my head at Papaw's old ways.

"He owns a cotton mill called Smitt Cotton; this is also yours now. He has over four hundred employees. You cannot sell the factory or shut it down. It is one of the number one employer in Bumble. Leroy will manage it with his other brother Daryl. You will also make profit from this, no negotiation on it."

This was new to me; I had no idea Papaw had a Cotton Mill.

"A Mill? Has he always, had it?”

Donna patted my hand. “Yes, my dear but the Smitt’s don’t think it’s a place for a young lady, especially ‘ur Papaw.”

I frown slightly at this information. Aunt Donna squeezed my hand once more.

Roy continued. His southern accent more professional sounding and less thickened. Unlike Aunt Donna or Uncle Leroy’s. Papaw’s accent was even much thicker.

"All tractors, trailer, Semis, Both Picker’s, all property worth value is also requested to go to you. All paid off and titles ready for transfer.

Now let's get into financials, after all taxes are paid, titles transferred, you will have 2.2 million dollars from his personal account..."

My jaw popped open.

"... That does not include the money from the factory account. There is much more but he requests all funds stay in the business accounts. Daryl and Leroy dispense the money to the factory, crops and employees as needed. Something they've done for years, you can over see as you wish, or get your own personal accountant." Roy said looking up to me from his papers.

"I trust them." I say easily, it was true I do. Papaw loved all his siblings and trusted them, so I would too.

"Very well." Roy said looking back at the papers.

"Now his life insurance policy is five hundred thousand dollars. You will be paid that in full within the next few months or in increments. Whichever you choose. Also, your last year of college is paid for as you should know."

"I just... I just cannot believe this." I say aloud. Aunt Donna patted my shoulder.

"I know it's a lot dear, but he left this all for you."

I couldn't handle it anymore tears started running down my face. I could tell Uncle Leroy and Roy were uncomfortable with it.

"My condolences to you and your family. Jack was a great man. You will get an allowance every month until you reach age twenty-five then you will have full access to all of the money you've inherited. Leroy and Donna will discuss this with you then I will get it all set up." Roy stood collecting his paper.

"Thank you for your time. We'll speak soon, I'll just show myself out."

With that Roy left and I buried my face in my hands. Aunt Donna held me for some time allowing me to cry.

Cooing sweet comforting things into me ear.

"Your Papaw loved you so very much." She told me softly and I look up at her with my blurry vision. Uncle Leroy must have left us also. He was no longer sitting at the table.

"I love him too. I did, but I'm a horrible granddaughter, I can't believe this. How could he be gone... how." I confided in Donna.

"Oh, dear it was a surprise to us all. Leroy and I and the family have been taking it very hard as well. If you need absolutely anythin’ please call me. My number is on the fridge. I am so sorry, but I have to take off, to get everything ready for the comin’ days. I would like to invite you to our family gathering. Tomorrow afternoon in the park. We'll all be there to celebrate his life before the funeral on Sunday."

"Right the funeral, what can I do? How much was his funeral, I would like to help pay for it." I tell her. The least I could do was pay for his funeral after he gave me so much. Donna gave me a sweet, sad smile.

"He took care of everything a few years ago. We've arranged everything, everything is paid in full by Jack."

This made me start sobbing again. Aunt Donna stood pulling me up with her, she hugged me tightly.

"This is for you." She handed me an envelope. My Papaw's sloppy writing on the front spelling out my name.

"He left a letter for you as a part of his will, Roy thought it would be best if I gave it to you."

I nod wiping my face, stepping back from her and took the letter.

"Thank you." I choke out.

"You're so welcome, my dear." Aunt Donna hugged me one last time before leaving and I sit back down at the table, opening the letter slowly.

My dearest Hay Bails,

I smile at the nickname he gave me when I was a baby.

I know your heart must be heavy, as mine has been too many times. I want you to know how much I love you in this minute I'm writing this letter and always have and always will. I memeber the day you were born, so beautiful from your first breath, your daddy, mama and I were so proud. Your daddy loved you beyond words, so do I. By the grace of God, I'm with your daddy and my love watching over you from afar. My only regret is I'm not there to wipe your tears or hold your fragile heart. I hope that by the time of my death we have spent much needed time together but if we have not, I do not want you to feel guilty. Do not mourn me, please. Celebrate me. Celebrate the fact I'm now at peace with my family. Celebrate the fact you will one day not so soon be with us and our Lord and Savior. Enjoy your life. Live with no regrets and a heart full of love. Do not allow yourself to get caught up into the sadness of missing the ones you love, who are not with you, as I did. Continue to be the good girl I know you too be.

With much love,

Papaw Jack

I read and reread the letter more times than I could count. Torturing myself with it as I sobbed over my glass of wine. I felt more comfort from the letter than I did anything else. He was not angry with me for running from him and for that I am so thankful.

Thank you, God.

After the sun went down, I slipped out of my bra and shorts. I lay on the couch and turn on the Flat screen. Old westerns were on, the slim chance Papaw did sit down to watch T.V in all the summers I was here, this is exactly what we'd watch. I would whine about it often as a child but took solace in it tonight.

The next morning, I was woken up by deep voices carried in through the open window. I get up walking to the door and swinging it open. Who would be in Papaw's yard so fricking early. I place my hand over my eyes shielding them from the sudden bright light from the morning sun. I hear one of the deep voices mutters "Damn"

When I could see again one of the other guys which I'm almost positive was Darren. Slapped the man, who was scalped by God himself on the back of his head. Bear I believe his name was shot Darren a glare while he rubbed the back of his head. Making his biceps bulge in all the right places.

The Casanova from across the street stood with all his might right in Papaw’s yard. His body and sandy blond hair dripping wet with sweat. His black athletic shorts that had Marine Corps printed on the bottom rode low on his hips. His chest was wide, and his muscles bulged. His defined torso on display, pleasing my eyes. Good God, I'm drooling. I tore my eyes from him when I heard someone clear their throat. I look over at my cousins Darren and the other who I'm guessing is Timmy. They had both grown but neither the size of Bear or as good looking but both decent to look at with their dark hair and athletic shapes.

"Do you always come to the door like that?" Darren deep, southern, stern voice asked. I could hear the irritation in it. I give him a confused look. I’m sure my hair was wild, it must have come undone from my bun in my sleep, I try to smooth it out. I look at Timmy who is looking as if he is trying to control his laugh.

Bear looked me up and down with eyes that I would only describe as hungry. I felt an uncontrollable blush come on and I look down.

"Frickin ay!" I mutter out loud before I can stop myself, I shut the door quickly. Embarrassed beyond words! I was only dressed in a shirt that barley covered my underwear. I face plant against my palm and groan. If it could not get any worse, I hear a laugh from the other side of the door.