The Gift

Chapter 17

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"Well," Mike Brewer said, staring at Nick and Lainie across his big oak desk, "I guess we'd better get started."

Lainie looked down at the floor. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to hear this. It just reminded her that Edward was gone forever. Nick reached over and tried to hold her hand, but she pulled it away gently, resting it in her lap. Nick looked down at the floor too. Mike noticed this, but tried to be tactful and ignore it.

"Well," Mike said, "Let's see here... Ok, This is the Last Will And Testament of Edward Carter. I, Edward Carter, being of sound mind, do hereby make the following stipulations..." He paused, and looked up. "Uh, Nick... the Will says you have to leave the room now. There's a video to be played for each of you, but neither of you can see the other's video."

"Oh... Ok," Nick said, confused. He got up and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.

Mike put a video tape in the VCR, and turned on the television. Immediately, Edward's withered old face popped onto the screen. Lainie smiled through her tears and covered her mouth with her hand as he began to speak.

"Lainie, if you're watchin' this, I'm dead. Don't cry for me, honey. You know I'm happier now. Got no dogs shittin in my begonias. Got no NURSE makin me take 48000 pills a day. You know, you're the only woman that ever put up with me. I appreciate it, too. You were a good friend to me, Lainie. You really were. You've made my last days happy ones, and I wanna make sure you're taken care of. Nobody ever treated me nice like you have. That's why I'm leaving everything to you, darlin'. Everything. My money. My house. My antique car collection. I don't guess you knew about that, though, did you? Yeah, got me a whole garage full of antique cars. Mike's got all that information. You were my one true friend, sweet'art. If I never told you while I was livin', I love ya. Enjoy life, honey. It's too short to spend it bein' sad. That's it. Turn off that blasted machine, Mike." The screen went fuzzy at that point.

"Well," Mike said, smiling. "Looks like you just inherited a fortune, Miss Lainie. Edward's estate is valued at $26 million. What do you have to say about that?"

Lainie shook her head. "I don't know what to say. I guess... I don't know. I just wish it didn't have to be like this."

"Ed was one of a kind," Mike said, laughing sadly. "But... now you don't ever have to worry about money again. You can do anything you want."

"I guess so,' Lainie said sadly.

"Alright. Well, now. I guess it's Nick's turn. Could you send him in?" Mike asked. Lainie walked out into the waiting room and motioned Nick in. She sat down on the couch as Nick went into Mike's office and closed the door.

"OK, Nick," Mike said, "I guess it's your turn. Edward wanted you to watch this video after Lainie watched hers." Mike popped another tape in the VCR and pushed play. Edward's voice was strong on this tape. Much stronger than on Lainie's, as if he had been saving his strength for that very moment.

"Nickolas Gene," Edward began, looking directly into the camera, "I want to start off by saying thank you for being a good kid. You always were my favorite, but I guess you knew that, didn't you? If you didn't, well... now you do. I also want you to know I ain't leavin' ya any money. You've already got more money than God, and I know my piddly estate wouldn't compare to what you've already got in the bank. Watch your money, Nick. Don't ever let anybody else write your checks for you. Keep up with where every penny goes, boy. Don't buy stupid things that don't appreciate in value. Anyway, enough of the economics lesson. I'm leavin' all my money to Lainie. She took care of me when nobody else wanted anything to do with me. Now, I don't blame you, boy. You've got your own life to live. But Lainie... she's somethin' special. She deserves what I'm givin' her. Besides, it's just money, and both of us know that money doesn't always bring happiness. What I'm leaving you is more important to me than my money anyway. I'm leaving you Lainie. I want you to take care of her for me, Nickolas Gene. I know your mama and those boys you're in that group with have always coddled you and you haven't had to take on much responsibility in your life. Everybody's always done stuff for you. But this is important to me. I want you to make sure Lainie's happy.I don't ever want her to be unhappy a day in her life. Just don't ever let her know you're watching out for her. Lainie's the most faithful friend you could ever want. That's my gift to you. I love ya, boy. You're a good kid. I hope one day, you'll be a good man. That's all."

Nick emerged from Mike's office with red, tear-swollen eyes. He was mulling over Uncle Ed's admonition in his brain. Lainie's happiness was his responsibility? God, and he had made her so unhappy. How could he make it up to her?

"You ok?"Lainie asked quietly.

"Yeah. I'll be ok," he said, smiling sadly. "I guess you're happy, huh?"

"Why?" she asked.

"Because you got everything," he answered.

"Well... yes and no. I mean, yeah, I don't ever have to worry about money, but I still lost my best friend in the process," she said, looking away. "I miss him so much."

Nick watched her quietly and considered what she said. She obviously didn't care about the money. But now he was saddled with a responsibility left to him by Edward. The responsibility of taking care of Lainie.
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That night, Lainie was lying in her bed, reading a sappy romance novel when Nick came into her room. He crossed the room without speaking and sat down on the edge of the bed. He couldn't look at her, so he stared at the floor.

"Do you need something?" Lainie asked.

"I just wanted to apologize again," he said quietly.

"Forget it," she said. "It's just not going to happen again. Nick, you're not right for me. I know that. You know that. You're such a sweet guy, but I just don't... feel that spark... I guess. Do you know what I'm saying? I don't want to be just some girl that you have sex with and add another notch on the bedpost. And you know as well as I do that that's all it would be. When I do make love for the first time, I want it to be special. I want it to be with somebody I love, and who loves me back. And you don't love me."

"You're right," Nick said, looking up at her. "I was wrong. You deserve someone better than this. I really like you. I do. But I think maybe we're better as friends."

Lainie nodded sadly. "I know."

"Well, can we still be friends?" he asked.

"Of course we can," Lainie replied, smiling. Nick reached over and hugged her tightly.

"I hope you find him," he whispered.

"Who?"

"The One. The guy," Nick said, kissing the top of her head.

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