Previous Challenge Entry (EDITOR'S CHOICE)
Topic: AUTHORITY( 04/14/22)
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TITLE:
The Last Shall Be First | Writing Challenge By Philippa Geaney 04/21/22 |
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5th Place
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He was a man of good intentions, soft on follow-through, and legendary in turning a dollar into a thousand, although in many transactions, the zeros were not limited to three.
He claimed he had the Midas touch, but it was evident he unknowingly operated on the God-given decree of give, and it shall be given to you.
Concerning his family, his good intentions of raising solid and well-balanced children proved his Achilles heel. As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
This week that paved road became a four-lane highway after the family discovered the contents of his will.
My name is Kit Davidson-Hill, the last born of the above-mentioned family. At the rear of a quintet and the only child of Juliette, my father's second wife, I was a sitting duck for the older siblings' fists as they expressed their dispositions and the confusion an absent father and his indulgent riches impart.
University was my escape route. I'd become a born-again Christian several years prior, which bought about a variety of reactions from the family – and none particularly warm.
The good in it was I'd learned to listen and act on the warnings of His inner witness.
Now ten years on, it seemed I would return.
'Your father passed away last night, Son.' Mother's ordinarily strong voice bearly audible. 'Your brothers have told me to pack my bags and leave. They're selling the house.
'It's not possible, Mother. You're a joint tenant. Father told me that ages ago.'
'He'd changed things in his will, and all I know is, he said, "don't worry."' Mother's voice broke
.
'I'll quickly sort things here, then come home. What happened? When is the funeral?
'
'Hurry home, Son. I'll tell you then'. Her voice trailed off. She hung up.
After years of relationship, I turned to the Lord. Lord, I need guidance..
I'd learned as a lawyer to take all my concerns to the Heavenly Court and seek His counsel and ruling. His Word was final, binding. I based my right to approach His Bench on the Scripture I'd referenced in Hebrews 4:16.
On this legality, I chose to act as Queen Esther did and approach His throne, reaching for His extended scepter of mercy through my Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Ten missed calls from the office flashed unheeded before I finally showered and dressed for work. But priorities must. I had His peace and a first step forward.
Downstairs, the morning newspapers shouted,
Tycoon Henry Davidson-Hill dies from heart attack. State funeral next Monday.
It was more information than Mother provided.
I wasted no time, and after several phone calls from my office, I'd secured court adjournments and arranged with Father's solicitor to provide copies of his will to all beneficiaries by tomorrow. I learned I was the sole executor of the will. Alarming.
By lunch, I was headed towards my childhood home and pulled up in front of a FOR SALE declaration of war by five pm.
Someone had searched Father's study before me, but I familiarized myself with what they'd kindly left strewn. His laptop was missing, so I searched upstairs and, acting on impulse, and memory of father saying This fella never tells tales on me Kit, I removed the lid of the urn that held his beloved labrador's ashes.
A USB was secured in the concave of the lid.
The USB told me a sad tale of sibling debt, thefts, and veiled threats from my laptop. Though glad that my father had used ethical investigators to provide solid evidence, it saddened me. Nevertheless, I thanked the Lord for the knowledge. I'd begin with a subtle approach in the morning - which arrived too soon.
I found the group battle-ready and gathered downstairs. I drank my coffee, watching the solicitor distribute copies of the will. They read in silence.
'You'll suffer for this,' my sibling Charles was venomous. 'This is preposterous.'
At the revelation of my executor role and carte blanche ability to subtract endowments from debts, he felt to damn me to the paved highway to hell.
'Perhaps we’ll meet to discuss matters individually.'
'Why?' Charles roared. 'Are you afraid we'll embarrass your greed, Kit?' My step-brother added a phrase that brought my birth status into question.
'I suspect Father's exposé of debts and current lifestyles,' I waved the USB stick, 'will be embarrassing, Charles.'
‘I have the legal right and a responsibility here brother.’
Scripture: Luke 6:38, Romans 8:28, Esther 4:11, Heb 4:16
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