1000 Word Excerpt

The place is Daltonville and the year 1989. Hot white lightning bolted, scattering throughout the Ohio night sky. A natural firework show displayed itself through large windowpanes in grandmother Lindseys vintage victorian mansion. Strong wind and rain pelted the huge oaks outside to the sway of her beloved Afrikan tribal music, springing forth from her antique victrola. Grandmother Lindsey loved her fine things. Moreover, she loved her favorite grandson, Roger. The fireplace burned as brightly as her love, keeping both Roger and her warm as toast.

Roger, you know grandmother loves you dearly, grandmother assured him between coughs.

Yes, maam. I already know. I love you, too, but I worry about your health, Roger let her know.

Roger, please just listen for a minute and dont interrupt me, okay? Your grandmothers heart has been her main strength over the years. Even though youre only ten years old, youre my little man, grandmother said, placing her hand on her chest, wincing, as if the coughing spell caused her intense pain.

She continued, grandmothers health is deteriorating, and I dont know how much longer I have to be with you. Im concerned about your well-being after Im gone.

I dont want to hear anymore of this about you leaving me! Roger blurted out anxiously.

Grandmother looked lovingly at him as only she could. His eyes swelled with redness, as his innocent tears flowed down his face. They embraced, hugging each other tightly, as though it were just the two of them against the rest of the world. Unashamedly, Roger cried out loud in her arms. He could feel her deep cough and knew it would soon be her demise.

Roger, we have to talk, and you have to listen. Grandmother is very sick. My days are short, and I worry about the predators in this family who will try to take everything away from you. Once they find out you are my sole beneficiary, theyll use any means to remove you from the picture, grandmother warned him.

My estate will be yours, grandmother added. $25 million dollars set up in a trust fund will be yours. You alone will be able to buy or sell all my business holdings, as well as my family heirlooms. I want your word that you wont give anything away to your mother, aunties, or anyone else, all right? she asked as her coughing resonated deeply within her rapidly declining body.

I wont, grandmother. Its my promise to you, Roger answered. Grandmother, who will be here to help me till I grow up? he asked.

The court will assign you a guardian to live on the estate with you until you turn seventeen. Then you will manage your own affairs, grandmother answered.

Grandmother, why does our family want to harm me? I havent done anything to any of them, Roger said.

Because youre grandmothers baby, and they know it. When people have greed and envy in their hearts, they will betray anyone, even if its their own family, grandmother stated bitterly.

Grandmother, do you honestly believe our family would commit murder behind greed? Roger asked.

Yes, dear, but its not only about greed, she answered. Theres some other things I wish to share with you, too. Before you were born, I saw how the blood of this family changed to become bad blood. Its as if this family were cursed. They sold land out from under my mother, who owned hotels in Indiana. My own children turned their father against me and used me, until I wouldnt take any more abuse. I made it clear to all of them, if they ever set foot on my property again, I will end the life I gave them, she said with an ice cold stare.

Roger just glared wide-eyed at grandmother. For the first time, he observed the woman he loved so much, livid with anger.

I will never, ever betray you for anyone, Roger said.

I sure hope youll keep your word in times to come and not have grandmother turning over in her grave, grandmother said.

I wont. I wont, Roger nervously repeated himself. I promise you wont have to turn over in your grave because of me.

They both tightly embraced each other and sealed this strong bond between them.

Grandmother spoke next. Tomorrow, Roger, I want to show you something on our property you have never seen before, she said.

Okay, grandmother, Roger answered her.

Time ticked away into the late hours of the evening. Roger and grandmother became exhausted and turned in. Their rooms were directly across from each other, so Roger could go to her bedside quickly, if necessary. Roger lay down, his eyes wide open and alert, peering through the curtained window. Off in the distance, he viewed dancing flashes of lightning, heavy rain just outside turning to drizzle.

Rogers sleep was disturbed by everything grandmother had said, thinking about what his life would be like without her. He heard her repeated cough coming from across the hall. Bolting out of bed, he rushed across the hall, stood beside her bed. Turned on a lamp, and asked, are you all right, grandmother?

I cant seem to get rid of this bad cough, grandmother answered.

He reached inside the compact bedside refrigerator, poured her a glass of orange juice, and found the nyquil alongside her other medications on top of the fridge. Grandmother sat up to imbibe them both. Her coughing eventually stopped, and she seemed to feel a little better.

Rather than returning to his bedroom, Roger laid down beside grandmother to let her know he cared and was close by. They talked until she drifted off peacefully to sleep.

The next morning, Roger, and grandmother rode out to her property to see what she wanted to show him. Oblivious to what lie ahead, Roger watched the tall pine trees and wide-spreading cedars fly by his moving window. Birds darted in and out of sight, as the car slowed to a stop, and they got out.