The inheritance

The confrontation

The Confrontation

When Alex arrived home, he told Barbara that there would be a family gathering in two days' time. The woman, of course, bristled.

"Tell me what you want to say — I'll pass it along to them."

"No! I want to say what I want to say — to everyone, myself. I am the head of this family. I put the bread on this table. I have no need of you delivering my words the way you see fit. You've always twisted what I say."

"Oh, what slander! Me — twist your words? How can you say such a thing? Don't you remember that my late father left you his business?" Barbara shrieked, loud enough for everyone in the house to hear.

"Left us what, exactly? He couldn't even leave a winning lottery ticket, let alone anything else! But I'm not going to argue that with you now. You know the truth perfectly well — you're simply a born drama queen. It's a shame Lewis never married you. You'd have been quite the actress with him." Alex said, and stormed out of the room.

"Why do I even lower myself to argue with this woman? I know exactly what she's capable of," he muttered to himself as he climbed the stairs. "There's not another one like her on this earth."

Only now was he truly beginning to grasp what Andrew had said — that getting free of Barbara would not be easy.

"My son was right. His mother is a harpy..."

The Doctor

The following day, he went to his physician. After the cardiologist had taken an EKG and allowed his patient to dress, he sat down across from him with a serious expression.

"Alex. I know you. You are living under enormous stress. You have a choice. Either you calm down — or in a few months' time, your wife becomes a widow."

The words struck Alex like an alarm bell.

"What did you say? Is it really that serious?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

"Yes. It is. And I can say with certainty that you've already had two pre-infarctions. The next one may well be the last."

"I understand. Thank you for being honest with me. I'll make sure my heart gets some peace. Thank you, truly."

He said his goodbyes and left. Outside the hospital, he sat on a bench and called Andrew.

"I'd like to ask a favor of you, son. Two things, in case anything should happen to me. I'm asking you because besides my solicitor, you're the only one I trust."

"Father, you're frightening me. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong — but the doctor gave me quite a fright. He told me I've certainly had two pre-infarctions already, and that the next one could be fatal. So I need to rest."

"Tell me, Father. I'll do anything you ask."

"If something were to happen to me — if I ended up in hospital, still alive but unable to make decisions — I'd like you to call two people. First, call my solicitor. I'm sending you his number right now. Tell him what's happened. He'll know what to do. Second, please notify Katalin yourself — it's better she hear it from you than from a lawyer. Her address is 11 Kis Street, Bratislava. I'll send you her number as well."

"Father, this sounds like you're preparing for something very dark."

"No, son. Nothing dark. I'm simply being cautious. But I promise — I'll rest, and I'll set everything right."

"Please, postpone the family meeting. I want you to be with us for as long as possible — and your daughters need you too."

"Alright. I promise. But I'll still hold the family gathering. I might take something to calm my nerves beforehand."

Andrew made him promise to take care of himself — to let no one upset him any further. They agreed to see each other at the family meeting the following day.

The Old Solicitor

After hanging up, Alex called his solicitor. Mr. Davenport had been his lawyer for thirty-three years — since the day he had married Barbara. He was the only person, before Andrew, who had known about Katalin. It was he who had discovered, years ago, that the marriage to Barbara was legally invalid.

"Hello, my dear old friend," Alexander greeted him warmly.

"Alexander! What a surprise to hear from you. It's been a while. I hope everything is well."

"I wouldn't say everything is well — which is exactly why I'm calling. I'd like to come up to your office today, if you're not too busy. Just a brief conversation — the kind that isn't suitable for the telephone."

"Of course, come right over. I have a quiet day today, as it happens. I'll put the coffee on while you're on your way."

When he arrived, his solicitor welcomed him with open arms, as an old friend.

"Tell me, what brings you, dear fellow?"

"There are one or two things I need to discuss with you — and I haven't visited in far too long."

"I was at the cardiologist today. He gave me rather gloomy news. The old engine is starting to falter. He told me there had already been two warnings from it — and that the next one might be the final move."

"Good heavens! Don't say such things! Your daughters need a father!"

"That's why I've come. If Andrew — my youngest — calls you to say something has happened to me, but that I'm still alive in hospital, please go to Barbara and tell the whole lot of them to spend only on necessities. Nothing extravagant. Barbara is prone to excess — but you know that better than anyone, my friend."

"I do, unfortunately. What I don't know is when you'll finally put an end to all of this. You've been putting it off for years."

"That's exactly what I intend to do now. I was in Bratislava last week, and I made a promise to Katalin — that I would tell the truth here in Budapest as well, and put an end to everything."

"Just make sure you live to do it. And be careful — that harpy of yours is capable of anything. She won't give up the wealth and luxury without a fight. Think ahead. If you need anything, I'm always here. Now — tell me, how are the girls? Growing up? Are they lovely?"

"Magnificent," Alex replied, his eyes lighting up with joy. "So clever already. We bought the girls a new desk, and a new sofa — the old one had been creaking for years. You know the interesting thing? Katalin never asks for anything. I have to push everything on her. She's so different from the harpy here at home. That one would spend the world's fortune if she could."

"I know. I hear she throws parties constantly and tells everyone your empire was built on her father's money."

"I know — I hear it too. That's exactly why I want to end all of this. I've had enough. She's a magnificent dramatic actress, I'll give her that. But I am simply not capable of being an audience who applauds her. I know her history. I know how her mind works. It's only tomorrow I'm a little worried about."

"My only advice, as your friend, is to take something for your heart beforehand, and everything will go smoothly. Think of tomorrow as something you've already come through successfully. My grandson taught me that trick — and believe me, my cases have gone far better since. I face everything with a positive outlook, and things always work out."

"Thank you for that. I'll certainly try it... Imagine — yesterday I visited Andrew."

"He's your painter son, isn't he?"

"Yes, he paints. And what a surprise awaited me — I couldn't have imagined it when I set out. Andrew had painted Katalin's portrait."

"But how? Does he know Katalin?"

"No, he doesn't know her. Years ago, when he was leaving our house, I pressed some money into his hand. When I took it from my coin tray, my darling's photograph fell out. Andrew was sharp-eyed and picked it up — but by the time he might have given it back, Barbara had appeared."

"Well, I never."

"The boy thought: if I carry a woman's photograph in my coin tray, she must matter to me. So he painted it from the photograph, and waited for the day he could show me. That day came yesterday."

"Clever child. No wonder he doesn't live in the Ice Palace. Even one's breath freezes there — let alone one's soul."

"Yes. Sadly, I live in a great Ice Palace. I'm only happy when I go to Bratislava. That's why I go as often as I do. I adore my daughters — they grow more clever and sweet with every visit. And of course, there is the love of my life, from whom I always return filled with new energy."

"You know, Alexander — you've suffered enough beside Barbara. You deserve to finally wake up in peace, next to the woman you love and who loves you. Your sons have their own homes now. It's time they each stood on their own feet."

"Now tell me — how is your daughter? If I remember correctly, she went to Africa as a veterinarian."

"Yes, she did — and she's still there. Would you believe, about six months ago she brought her whole family over? The locals love her so much they took her on as their own veterinarian — now the family can finally be together without all the constant traveling."

"That sounds wonderful. Who knows — perhaps one day the girls and I could visit her. My treasures absolutely live for animals. We were at the zoo just recently, and we stopped before every single enclosure. I heard Sophie dreaming aloud that when she grows up, she wants to go and live where these animals are. That made me think of you, my dear friend — and of your daughter, the veterinarian in Africa."

"Now that would be a fine idea — and your girls could practice their English as well. My grandchildren have been speaking it almost perfectly since they followed their mother out there. They're even picking up French rather well now. My daughter Anna is overjoyed that she could finally bring the family together."

"That's a great thing indeed. I'm working toward the same — I hope it happens for me sooner rather than later."

"I'm rooting for you, now that you've told me everything."

"I know. But there's one more thing I'd like to ask you about — though I'm not sure if it falls within your expertise."

"Go ahead. You know I know a great deal — many things have passed through these hands. And if I happen not to know, I have the right connections for almost anything."

"Let me tell you what Andrew and I discussed yesterday."

"I'm listening. All ears," said the old man.

Alexander told him the plan — not in full detail, but enough for the solicitor to grasp the essence. The old man shook his head slowly, scratched behind his ear now and then, and occasionally allowed himself a small smile. His reply was a single, simple sentence:

"I don't know yet how — but we'll sort it out, certainly. Don't worry yourself. Focus on tomorrow's conversation. Picture yourself already on the other side of it, and everything gone well."

"Thank you in advance. If any trouble arises, you'll be the first I call. You are the only one who has stood by me for thirty-three years."