Chapter 3: The Will

---------------------------

July woke up gasping for breath. Her lungs burned and her throat was dry. She wished she could say that it was just a dream but it wasn't. It was what had happened last night. Why she was where she was. She could feel anger welling up inside of her at the thought. Taking a deep breath, she sunk back into the pillows but couldn't find any more comfort. Her whole body was tense from the dream. She rolled over and looked at the clock; it was about ten. She got up and stretched, her muscles starting to relax. A peek out the curtain confirmed that the sun was already pretty high in the sky and there wasn't a cloud for miles. It was going to be hot and sunny.

July grabbed her bag and sat down on the bed, crossing her legs. In the middle of looking for her white tank top, her hand hit something that felt odd, almost like paper. Then she suddenly remembered the envelope that she had taken, the one with the things that would change her life. How funny it was that something so simple could create an effect so big. She'd forgotten all about it with the drama of everything else.

She pulled the envelope out and set it on her lap. With trembling hands, she slowly opened the envelope and reached in. Her hands hit something cold and metal and pulled out a set of keys. Next out was a couple of papers and a small album book. She set the envelope aside and put the keys on top of it. She looked at the first paper and saw it was a letter addressed to her and began to read.

To our dearest daughter July, If you are reading this letter than sadly it is to say that your mother, Robin, and I are no longer with you. First we would like to say happy birthday, as you are to receive this package upon your eighteenth birthday. We are sorry that we aren't able to be there today and how ever long we have been gone. We want to tell you that we love you and we are watching over you. You may not know who we are depending on your situation, but nonetheless we watch over you and miss you more than you know. We are sorry we can't be there when you receive this.

Enclosed you will find our living will, which entitles you to everything in our possession. We know you would have made us proud. When you were little you were the spitting image of your mother but you have my eyes and smile. We also put a book album that has some baby pictures; the rest of the set is at the house.

Another thing that your mother wanted to tell you was the significance of your name. We named you after the month that you were suppose to be born in (you were a late baby). She loved that you were going to be born in July because it reminded her of the fireworks and picnics. You may not know this but when you were little we called you firecracker. You had so much energy and were always bouncing off the walls so to speak and since your name was July, the only firework that reminded us of you was firecracker so we nicknamed you that. We just wanted you to know that. We send all of our love forever and for always.

Love,
Your father, your mother,
Ruben Jones Robin Jones

July absently brushed away the tears that had formed in her eyes and set the letter down with care. The old nickname stuck in her head as if she had heard it before. The next piece of paper was the will.

I, Ruben Jones, and I, Robin Jones, give unto July Jones on her eighteenth birthday all in our possessions. Below is the address of our lawyer who can be contacted to receive all the paperwork and documents.

Arnold Lewis
452 SW Palms St.
Los Angeles, CA

July set the paper down and picked up the album book. It looked fairly new. The black covering had a silver inscription that said "Jones". She opened the album to come face to face with a young woman who looked exactly like her. She was short with a small lean form. Her long jet-black hair hung freely and framed a pair of honey brown eyes that matched her skin. She wore a big smile and happiness seemed to be infused into every inch of her. She was leaning into a man that was slightly taller than her. He had dark brown hair and her sky blue eyes. He was wearing the same smile that she saw staring back at herself in all of her pictures. He had a muscular, fatherly build, as if he did physical labor or worked out at the least.

Cradled between the two was a pink bundle and a small curious face was peeking out. Her face. There could be no denying it. The baby looked like a smaller and younger replica of herself. These were her real parents. It hurt so much to not be able to remember anything about them. Not even a picture could spark a memory or a voice in her head. She flipped through the pages and saw pictures of her birth in the hospital, and her first days of life. As soon as she was at the end she wished she had the other albums.

Now she knew where she was going, why it felt right going west instead of east. This was the way she was supposed to go. Find her answers, fill that emptiness, but really, what would be waiting for her? A house, money no doubt, but still no one would be there to welcome her with open arms, no one to take care of her when she got sick. It was more of being welcomed by an empty house probably, but still at least she was getting something that would connect her to them and that thought alone made her feel better.

July finished getting her clothes and toiletries and took a quick shower. Returning to the room, she packed everything up again except the will. She folded it up and stuck it into her pocket. She checked out of the motel a little after eleven, the same woman from last night wishing her a good day.

Leaving the hotel, she drove back to the gas station where she picked up something to eat and a map. After eating, she took out the map and found a route to Los Angeles that would be simple to follow. Memorizing the route, she folded it half way, so she could sneak a look at it if she needed to. Settling back into the car, she revved the engine and shot off.

---------------------------

tbc…