Chapter 35
About a week later Gary received a certified letter. He and Kaitlyn were sitting on the couch when he opened it. Inside he found two smaller envelopes. One Gary could tell contained a check, because it had a clear address window. The other was a personal stationary envelope with his first name hand written on the front. He opened that one first.
"It's a letter." Gary said. He read it aloud.
Dearest Gary,
I had wished that we would get to see each other before my death. However, if you are receiving this letter, I know that is not the case.
My granddaughter seems to have thought that I was too feeble to know what was going on around me. I have to hold myself accountable for her obvious flaws, as I am sorry to say it was I who was her worst influence. However, as one grows older you hopefully, see the error in your ways. I have come to peace with my past mistakes and attempted redemption. I have tried to live my last days the way I wished I would have lived me entire life.
I want you to know that I have always thought very highly of you. You are such an unrequited gem. Unfortunately, I have to say you were too good for my granddaughter.
Unbeknownst to her, I've known for some time that she ended your marriage. Please do not get angry when I tell you that I have been kept abreast of the recent changes in your life. You are a wonderful father, as I knew you would be and I am glad that you have found someone to return your love.
Therefore, I bequeath this gift to you to do with as you wish. The only request that I have is that you and your new family live the life that you so richly deserve.
Fondly,
Caroline Roberts
"Wow." Kaitlyn said as Gary handed her the letter. "She knew you well."
"She was something." Gary said.
"I can't believe that she had us watched." Kaitlyn said. Gary shrugged.
"I should have know Marcia wouldn't be able to pull one over on her." Gary smiled.
"Well, this is something she obviously wanted you to have." Kaitlyn said as she rubbed his shoulder.
Kaitlyn looked at the letter as he opened the next envelope. Gary couldn't believe what he saw. It was a check made out to him for $925,000 dollars. He was speechless.
Kaitlyn got concerned when she saw the look on his face.
"What?" She asked. He swallowed hard and handed her the check. "Oh my, look at that." She said when she looked at it. "That's almost a million dollars." She said shocked.
"Yep." Gary mumbled.
"That's a lot of charity right there." Kaitlyn said.
"I've been thinking about that." Gary said.
"About what to do with the money?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Yeah." Gary said. "I know we have some money saved, but I think it's important with the babies coming that we should have more than that." He looked at her. "Well, with the paper it's impossible for me to hold down a job and the income from the bar was enough for me. Truthfully, I'm nervous about having to support everybody."
"Gary, honey, you don't have to do this all alone. I have my job." Kaitlyn said.
"Well, I would like it if you didn't have to worry about working, unless that is what you wanted." Gary said.
"I never thought about not working. I know with the babies it's not going to be as easy, but I have my Mom to help." Kaitlyn said.
"It's just with the paper. I want to make sure that you and the kids are taken care of in case something might happen to me." Gary whispered.
"Don't talk like that." Kaitlyn said.
"It's something that we have to talk about. I decided that no matter what the amount was I was going to give half of it to charity and I was going to keep the other half." Gary said. "Look, knowing now how much is there I figure we could pay the house off and put the rest into the bank for the kids education. That way if you don't want to work, you don't have too." Gary said.
"Well, I think half of this check is a little excessive." Kaitlyn said. "Gary, we don't need this kind of money."
"Do you know how expensive college is going to be for these four kids?" Gary asked. Kaitlyn looked at him and shrugged. "We would never have to worry again." Gary smiled.
"Is that what's going to make you happy?" Kaitlyn asked.
"No, I'm already happy. This will just make me feel more at ease." Gary said.
"Okay." Kaitlyn said.