“Oh no, now what,” said Theo as he and Paula rushed into the living room to see their daughter standing there with her arms firmly wrapped around the neck of their son.
“Carl,” Paula whispered. She began to cry.
“Son,” was all Theo could say. “What are you doing here?”
“I was going to surprise all of you in four weeks with an early leave, since the ship came back sooner than we thought. My C.O. approved emergency leave for me to come home and be with Annamarie.”
“How long will you be home?” Annamarie asked.
“Three weeks; is that okay?”
“It’s wonderful,” she said, crying happy tears.
As he was nearly a foot taller than Annamarie, Carl had been holding her since she opened the door and jumped up to grab his neck.
“Can I put you down now, squirt?”
“Sorry, I was so excited to see you.”
“Me too. Let’s sit down. You can tell me how you are.”
“I don’t know where to start.”
“I know about Daniel and I’m so sorry, squirt,” he said, hugging her.
“But you don’t know about the baby.”
“Baby? Someone has a baby?”
“Not for seven months. I’m pregnant.”
“Wow, squirt, you do have a lot to deal with. I’m glad I’m here. I was hoping you’d be able to visit me in San Diego for a while and have a break from all the memories. I had no idea you’d be pregnant, of all things.”
“I’m happy. After the baby is born, we could all take a vacation to San Diego.”
“Okay, we’ll do that, squirt.”
“Stop calling me ‘squirt,’” she said, crossing her arms and trying to pout.
“You’ll always be ‘squirt’ to me, but soon a roly-poly squirt.”
She hit him in the arm.
Theo said, “Just like before he left, they haven’t changed at all.”
“Thank God something is still the same,” agreed Paula.
The family began asking Carl questions at the same time. He told them to slow down, that he had three weeks. He couldn’t tell them much about where he had been or what they had been doing, nor could he tell them why the ship had returned early. None of it mattered. They were happy he was home.
Annamarie was bubbling with happiness for the first time since before Daniel died.
Paula whispered to Theo, “This is the best thing that could’ve happened to her right now.” Theo nodded in agreement, tears filling his eyes.
Carl stood up and said, “I left my bag on the porch. I’ll be right back. I have presents.”
“Presents and Carl, can things be any better?” Annamarie said. She remembered Daniel and began to cry.
“Hormones,” said Paula. “She’ll have these roller coaster emotions for a while, but she’ll be okay.”
Theo smiled at his wife, hoping she was right.
Carl returned with his bag and pulled out three brown paper packages.
“Sorry I couldn’t have them wrapped, Mom, there wasn’t a lot of time,” he said when he handed her a package.
“I didn’t need anything but you,” Paula said, opening the package. “Oh, how beautiful,” she remarked when she saw the emerald green kimono. “Thank you Carl, it’s gorgeous.”
Carl handed his dad a hand-carved teakwood box, saying, “Now you have a place for your watch and change at night, so you stop dropping things behind the dresser.”
They all laughed.
Annamarie’s surprise was also wrapped in brown paper.
“Be careful,” Carl said. “It’s fragile.”
Annamarie opened the package and saw a gorgeous porcelain doll dressed in a red satin kimono with gold accents. It was the most beautiful doll she had ever seen.
“You always know exactly what I like and what will make me smile. I love you and have missed you so much.” She plopped herself on his lap, giggling. “Did you miss me, too?”
“I missed you, too, squirt.” He grinned and pushed her over onto the sofa. “You’re lucky you’re pregnant or I’d toss you on the floor.”
Annamarie didn’t stop him from calling her ‘squirt’ this time; she secretly enjoyed it.
The family sat there laughing and talking for quite a while. Paula filled her son with chocolate cake and coffee. She said she had a feeling to make Carl’s favorite cake today. Carl and Annamarie looked at each other and nodded. They knew their mom had a spooky psychic quirk. She proved it again with the cake. Carl said he needed to make a phone call and asked his mom if he could use the phone in her room.
“Of course.”
“He’s going to call Bonnie, I know it,” Annamarie bubbled.
“They broke up before he left for the Navy, why would you say that?” Theo asked.
“When Deb, Bonnie, and I had lunch, we talked about Carl and Bonnie said they still write to each other. When Deb said ‘I bet you write sweet nothings,’ Bonnie blushed bright red. I think they still care.”
Carl returned to the room after several minutes and Annamarie said, “How’s Bonnie?”
“She’s… what do you mean?” asked Carl.
“I told you he was going to call her. So when are you going out?”
“Tomorrow afternoon, is that all right with you, squirt?”
“Perfect,” she said with a smile.
Carl sat down next to Annamarie and asked her what else was new in town. She had to tell him about the awful deaths that occurred at the Logan house.
He said, “It seems unbelievable so much had happened. Ben, Garret, and Daniel are gone. Now more horror has affected your life.”
Annamarie did say she had some good news even if it was because of sadness. He was surprised she owned the Logan house now.
“My sister is a fancy lady. Who would’ve ever thought?”
“I’m not a fancy lady; I’m Annamarie and always will be and I tell people not to call me ‘Mrs. Logan.’ That’s Maureen’s name. I’ll stay being ‘squirt’ for now and soon I’ll be ‘Mommy.’ I can’t wait.” She began to cry again.
Theo whispered to Paula, “How long does this hormone thing go on?”
“With all she has been through, I’m not sure. I think it’s hormones mixed with emotion.”
“I’ll be okay,” said Annamarie, drying her tears. “I’m so happy and sad all at once.”
“You’ll get spoiled while I’m home. Mom will cook all our favorites and that means…”
“Biscuits for breakfast,” they said in unison.
“With country gravy for me and strawberry preserves for you. I’m hungry.”
“You both think I’m going to spoil you?” asked Paula.
“Yup,” they said in unison again.
Theo laughed. “The ‘boy-side, girl-side’ thing is combining into an ‘our-side’ thing.”
They all laughed, remembering how they had their own special places to sit in the family car. Paula sighed and thought about how they had both grown up too fast, but she was happy they were both home now.
* * *
While Annamarie and Carl shared stories of their recent activities, Maureen was talking with George.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without Daniel in our lives. I wish we could’ve had more children.”
“I know, dear, we discussed it years ago and were fortunate to have Daniel. How could we know he’d be gone at 21?”
“Yes, but …”
“We’ll get through this.”
“If only he’d married a better person or not married at all.”
“Maureen, we have to be nice to Annamarie. Remember Daniel inherited twenty-five percent of the house. I know his will left all his belongings to us. We own the percentage now.”
“I never thought of that.” She raised her eyebrows.
“The will is being read tomorrow at eleven in the morning in Townsend’s office. Once we have the percentage, we’ll have leverage against Annamarie. She can’t possibly want
to live there after today, and we’ll tell her we want to move into the north wing. It’ll be our right and she won’t want us there. She has a child to think of and we could make her a good monetary settlement. Besides, she has the ranch house to live in. We won’t be kicking her out into the street.”
“George, you’re a genius. For the sake of the house, I’ll be nice to her tomorrow and laugh all the way home.” She leaned over and kissed him.
“Remember, we also have to be kind to her so we can be part of our grandchild’s life.”
“I hope it’s a boy and she names him Daniel.”
“That would be nice, dear.”
Maureen and George went to sleep thinking about finally getting Father’s house, but they had paid a terrible price for it. George thought Maureen was bordering on a breakdown. He wanted his father’s house to be his, but he wasn’t happy. If he could, he would give all he owned to have Daniel back. Maureen was much too happy about this. Perhaps she was taking too many of the pills Dr. Norse had prescribed for her nerves. Drifting off to sleep, George prayed the next morning would be uneventful.
* * *
Annamarie said she was tired, but wanted to stay up and talk with Carl.
“We have three weeks, squirt.”
“Oh,” said Paula. “I forgot. While you were asleep, Annamarie, Mr. Townsend’s secretary called and said they’re reading Daniel’s will tomorrow. It’s at eleven in his office. I’m going with you; you’re not doing this alone.”
Carl insisted, “And I’m going with both of you. I’m not meeting Bonnie until mid-afternoon so I have lots of time. I want to be sure you’re all right.”
Annamarie went to bed. Paula assured Carl that Annamarie was all right, and the doctor said she was doing well. He hugged his mom and dad and went to his old room. He knocked on Annamarie’s door before he went to bed.
“Come in.”
“Wow, it’s still all pink.” He gazed around the room.
“I only moved out a few weeks ago. Mom left it the way it was. I think she was hoping I would come home, but not this way. I plan to leave it. If I have a girl, she’ll feel at home when she visits Mom and Dad.”
“I still can’t believe I’m going to be an uncle.”
“The baby needs an aunt, too.”
“Goodnight, squirt.” He closed the door when he left.
Annamarie slept peacefully until she smelled the coffee. She lay in bed, thinking about the appointment at Mr. Townsend’s office. She didn’t like the taste of coffee, but loved the aroma. She knew it would also wake Carl, and she wanted to see him when he woke up.
Wrapped in her old pink robe, she walked into the kitchen to find her mom and Carl chatting quietly. She could smell the biscuits baking.
“You don’t have to whisper. I’m awake.”
“Good morning, squirt.”
“Stop calling me sq… oh what’s the use?” She sat at the kitchen table, scowling at Carl before she broke into a big smile.
Paula beamed at her two children and told them their biscuits were almost ready.
“Yum,” said Annamarie. “We have time for a nice breakfast and to get ready before we go to Mr. Townsend’s office.”
“Do we have a shower yet?” asked Carl.
“Don’t bring it up, it still bothers Mom, but she wants to move the washer and dryer to the breezeway.”
“It’s such an easy thing to do, Mom. The sink plumbing is barely ten feet from where you could put the washer, and the dryer can be vented right through the wall. I can help Dad with it this weekend. Fortunately, you have an electric dryer, and moving the electric line for it will be easy, too.”
“I’ll pay for it.” Carl and Paula stared at her. “Believe me, I can afford it.”
“Sure, squirt.”
Annamarie decided to let his comment pass and then surprise them later.
* * *
By ten forty-five, the three were ready to head for the lawyer's office. Carl insisted on driving and his mom said it was nice to have a chauffeur. They walked into Mr. Townsend’s office a little before eleven. Maureen and George were sitting there, both dressed in black with expressions to match.
“Was I supposed to wear black?” Annamarie whispered to her mom.
“No, you look perfectly fine.”
She felt a bit uncomfortable in her brown skirt and cream-colored blouse, seeing the Logans dressed in black. She remembered her mom had told her she couldn’t be expected to wear black all the time. It didn’t help much now.
“Nice to see you home, Carl,” George said.
“Thank you, sir.”
That was the end of the pleasantries.
Mr. Townsend walked out of his office at precisely eleven and said, “Annamarie, Maureen, George would you follow me?”
Annamarie looked at her mom. “I’ll be fine.” Annamarie followed everyone into Mr. Townsend’s office.
Mr. Townsend began, “Good morning, my deepest condolences on the loss of Daniel. It seems inconceivable we’re together again so soon for a will reading. The will is simple and to the point.”
Of course it is, George thought, I advised Daniel before he came here. He sat back, wondering why Annamarie was even there.
“This is the Last Will and Testament of Daniel Michael Logan. George, the will begins with a personal comment to you and Maureen. It states ‘Father and Mom, I love you both deeply. Father I want you to have my hunting rifle.’”
“What? They found his case in the woods, but not the rifle.” He glared at Mr. Townsend.
They never will, Annamarie thought, it’s at the bottom of the river.
“This isn’t the will I discussed with Daniel. What’s going on, Townsend?” demanded George.
“Please let me continue. ‘Mom, I thought long and hard what to leave you to remember me, but all I can think of is my high school ring because you always admired the stone.’”
“High school ring, what is this, Townsend?” moaned Maureen.
“If I can finish please. ‘The balance of my property, valuables, bank accounts, and worldly goods I leave to my wife, Annamarie Eliza Logan.’ That’s the end of the will. However, Daniel told me that he had a life insurance policy and he’s named Annamarie beneficiary. He said the policy was at home with his legal papers in his desk. He also gave me this letter for you.”
He handed Annamarie the letter.
George jumped to his feet, yelling, “That isn’t the will Daniel and I discussed, and it isn’t the one he showed me.”
“No, it’s not. After Daniel and Annamarie married, he called me with revisions to the will and signed it on July 10th. There is a standard legal clause in the will, revoking all previous wills.”
“Let me see it,” George said as he pulled the will from Mr. Townsend’s hands. He saw it was signed “Daniel Michael Logan, July 10, 1967.”
George threw the will onto Mr. Townsend’s desk.
“What about the house? The twenty-five percent of the house left to Daniel?” said Maureen.
“Everything belongs to Annamarie.”
George and Maureen stormed out of the office.
“Annamarie, wait a moment, please.”
“Yes.”
“How are you feeling, dear?”
“I’m doing well and the doctor said I’m coming along just fine.”
“I was worried after hearing about your ordeal yesterday, but I’m happy to hear you’re doing so well. We should know about the bonds in the next week. I’ll call you. Also, the content of the letter is for your eyes only. I’ll never inquire why Daniel gave me the letter the day before he died.”
Annamarie was surprised Daniel saw Mr. Townsend the day they returned from their mini-honeymoon. He must have been worried.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, hugging him. “You’ve been so kind.” She walked out to see her mom and Carl deep in conversation.
“What’s wrong with George and Maureen? She wouldn’t even talk to me,” asked Paula.
“Everything?” asked Carl.
“Yup.”
“You’re buying lunch. We’re going to Ray’s.”
“Okay, lunch is on me.”
* * *
Maureen and George fumed about Daniel’s new will and the loss of the house.
Maureen proposed, “We could try to break the will. Daniel’s been in therapy and everyone was aware he had emotional problems. It might help us.”
George answered, “I’m not sure I can make Daniel sound crazy to get Father’s house. He was my son and I love him still.”
“If he was sane, he wouldn’t have left everything to her. We deserve it all,” she yelled, slamming her fist on the car’s dash.
“When he signed the will, Father was still alive. I’m sure Daniel wanted to be sure that Annamarie had their house, furnishings, her car, plus the life insurance. It was only a formality. He didn’t plan on dying young. In my worst nightmares, I never imagined he would be gone before us.”
“Maybe, but he could have changed it back when your father died. I want that house, and I don’t care how we get it.”
They arrived home and Maureen felt a chill in the air. “Do you feel that? Feels like a storm coming from the north because I can smell the pines, but I don’t see a cloud in the sky.”
“No, I don’t smell the pines and it feels warm to me. Maybe you’re coming down with something.”
“Maybe,” mumbled Maureen as she felt a shiver go down her spine. She hurried into the house.
* * *
Everyone at Ray’s was happy to see Carl. Greta hugged him so hard he thought his ribs would break.
“Lunch is on me,” said Ray.
“You lucked out this time, squirt.” Carl laughed.
During lunch, they discussed the washer and dryer project. Carl was sure he could talk his dad into it. He would get all the supplies the next morning, so they could begin first thing on Saturday. They discussed cost and Paula said she had some savings from her “house money” and it should work out fine.
On the drive home, Annamarie asked if they had time to stop at the bank before Carl picked up Bonnie.
Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2) Page 8