by Ryan Rowland
Jessica Lawson was annoyed as she zoomed through the parking lot of the nursing home and whipped her BMW convertible into an open space. The twenty-year-old woman had expected to be at the beach with her friends by now, and was impatient at the delay. But when her grandfather called and specifically requested her to visit at eleven o'clock today for a meeting with someone, she could hardly refuse. After all, he was one who funded her carefree lifestyle, and she hadn't visited him lately. Jessica experienced a twinge of guilt when she realized she couldn't remember the last time she had taken time out of her schedule to visit the old man. Her life was just so busy, it was hard to find the time. And besides, the nursing home was depressing.
Jessica had been orphaned at the age of thirteen when her parents were killed in a car accident, and had lived with her grandfather until she was eighteen. But the first day she was able, she had moved into her own apartment to gain privacy and freedom. She knew her grandfather loved her, but he was just too old-fashioned. She had to get out on her own. Well, on her own except for the generous allowance he provided. Why should she work or go to school when she had a wealthy grandfather to provide for her? Life was a party!
"Jessica! It's good to see you," her grandfather exclaimed as she entered his room. "You remember my old friend, Donald Parker, and this is his son, Daniel."
Daniel Parker kept his face impassive as he sized up the attractive young woman. She had a nice trim figure and the light brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders was streaked with lighter shades of blonde. Her cute face belied the self-centered vanity he'd heard his Dad discussing with Jessica's grandfather.
"Hi Granddad." Jessica was startled to see how weak and frail he looked. He had been fairly healthy when she had moved out on her own, but became ill and had to move to the nursing home shortly thereafter. She nodded at the other two men in the room. She hadn't met Dan Parker, but remembered his father Don, and resented him. Many years ago, he had served under her grandfather in the army and had once saved his life. The young soldier had become almost a second son to the older man. Jessica had been shocked when her grandfather told her he was leaving a sizeable portion of his estate to Don. As his only living relative, she had expected to receive everything.
Jessica glanced briefly at Daniel. He looked a lot like his father, but appeared to be in his twenties, not much older than she. She thought him attractive, and her eyes automatically flicked toward his left hand as she noted there was no wedding band. But when she looked back at his face, she thought she noticed a trace of disapproval as he and his father returned the nod.
Her grandfather got to the point of his call. "Jessica, I'm sure I must be keeping you from something important, but I needed to speak to you while Don is here. I'm afraid I'm not long for this world and you need to know that I'm putting him in charge of certain provisions as to my estate. Please understand I have complete faith in him. I would trust him with my life, and indeed I often did so when we served together. And I'd trust him with your life too. He will be sure that you get what is coming to you."
Jessica tried not to show her irritation that Mr. Parker would have such control of her grandfather's estate, but there was little she could do about it. She just hoped he would not receive too large a share. As quickly as possible, she made her excuses and turned to leave. She made a mental note to herself to schedule a longer visit when there would be no one else around. Maybe she could talk her grandfather out of leaving so much money to Mr. Parker. "Good-bye, Granddad. See you later."
"I doubt it," the old man muttered sadly as she left. "I seriously doubt it."
When Jessica entered the office of her grandfather's lawyer three weeks later, Don Parker was already waiting. It had been four days since the funeral and they were meeting regarding the details of the old man's estate. She was sorry she hadn't gotten around to that next visit. Now that he was gone, Jessica realized she should have taken the opportunity to spend a lot more time with her grandfather.
"Sorry I'm late," she said to the lawyer as she took a seat next to Parker. "I had to stop for gas and couldn't get my credit card to work." Jessica had found it necessary to dig through her purse to come up with cash for enough fuel to make the trip.
The lawyer handed Jessica a letter. "There's a reason you had a problem. But we'll get to that. First off, you need to read this letter from your grandfather. Mr. Parker has already received a copy, as specified in the will."
As she read the letter, Jessica's eyes grew wide and she gasped in horror and dismay.
My Dear Jessica,
By the time you read this, I will have passed from this life. I want to express my deep regret that I have been such a failure to you. When your parents died, I made a vow that I would finish the job they started of raising you to be a young lady that they, as well as I, would be proud of. Unfortunately, I failed in that responsibility.
I provided for your physical needs, and even most of your wants, many as they were. But I failed to provide the discipline you desperately needed. It was my fault. I saw you becoming selfish, conceited, and irresponsible; but I failed to stop it. A hundred times, I should have taken you over my lap for a good spanking, but each time, I let your crocodile tears and pretence of repentance override my better judgement. You had me wrapped around your little finger and I couldn't say 'no' to you. I told myself if was because I loved you too much to punish you. But in the end, I realize that I didn't love you enough to do my duty. I am sorry.
Though I fear it may be too late, I am making an attempt to do for you in death what I couldn't do in life. Don Parker has graciously offered to assist me with a rehabilitation program that I hope will make you a better person and rescue you from what I am sure would be an empty and wasted life. The program will last one year and will be designed to teach you humility and discipline. If you choose to participate, you will place yourself completely under his authority.
Of course, your participation will be voluntary, but I have placed your share of my estate in a trust that you will receive only if and when you complete the program to Don's satisfaction. Otherwise, the trust will be donated to charity and you will receive nothing but my wish for good luck...
The letter ended with an assurance that Jessica's grandfather loved her and that he was acting in what he saw as her best interest. When she reached the end, she sat stunned, in open-mouthed shock, as her world came crashing down.
The lawyer went on to explain that the blind trust holding Jessica's potential inheritance had been set up by her grandfather. He didn't know the contents, but had been told it was worth a bit over six million dollars. The remainder of the estate, consisting mostly of cash, and worth about three million, would go to Don Parker. The bank account where Jessica's grandfather had placed her allowance had been closed, and her credit cards had been deactivated. From that moment, she was cut off unless she chose to submit to the rehabilitation program.
"The details of the program are between you and Mr. Parker," the lawyer said. "I will not be involved until you bring me a notarized affidavit stating that you have completed it. If I don't receive the affidavit within the allotted time, the trust will be divided among a group of charities as specified in the will."
As Jessica buried her face in her hands and groaned, Don asked the lawyer for a few minutes of privacy with her. When they were alone, he said, "Jessica, I know this must be a shock to you, so I will briefly outline the program and give you a chance to think it over.
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