De Moon

chapter two

The next morning, Jodi's Mom, Doris had left early after making breakfast for the girls, she had to run in other to meet up with preparing her younger sons, Danny and Aaron for school as well as start things at her bakery before her other workers showed up.

The cleaners had shown up around 9 am and had gone to work at once. Some minutes later, Ms. Ada had arrived, she spent a moment or two talking with the cleaners before seeking Claire out. Claire was nowhere in the house. After searching for a while, Ada decided to look outside where she found her in the backyard with her headphones on, and her eyes were shut as if she was asleep, but the light tapping of her feet probably in time with the song she was listening to indicated she wasn't sleeping. Her long lashes fanned out, casting a shadow on her cheekbone. There was traces of dried up tears on her face. Ms. Ada watched for a while before she had to interrupt her private time.

"Hey, Kiddo," Ms. Ada called out tapping Claire's shoulder at the same time.

"Hey," Claire answered, opening her eyes at the same time. The sun was in her face and she squinted as if to make out who was speaking. She tried to smile when she recognized who it wad but it came out more like a weird contortion of her lips.

"Where's Jodi, I thought she was here with you. I didn't see her in the house."

"She had to run out to the store. She has some kids from school coming over. Wants to bake some cookies for refreshments,"

"Ok," Ms. Ada said. "How are you doing today?"

Claire shrugged. "I'm fine." Ms. Ada waited for a while as if she expected an elaboration. She was quick to realize non was coming through.

"Ummm, there are stuffs I've with me from your parents. I don't know if you feel up to going through them right now, I can come back later if you don't. Or you can just come over to my office anytime this week to go through them."

Claire who was already getting up shook her head. " No. Let's just get it over with."

"Sure. I'll be as brief as possible," Ms. Ada promised.

Ms. Ada let Claire lead the way into the house where she had left her briefcase on the dinning table. While Claire poured two glasses of water for them, Ms. Ada went about bringing out some documents from her bag.

"So, what are these stuffs?" Claire asked sliding into a chair opposite Ms. Ada.

Ms. Ada slid a spiral bound book across to Claire. Claire's eyes lit up in recognition when she saw the book.

"This is my mother's journal," she said touching the book with a look akin to reverence in her eyes.

"I got it back from the police. She had it with her in the car when..." Ms. Ada broke off but she knew her message was well understood.

Claire pretended not to notice Ms. Ada's hesitance in mentioning the accident and went on to open the book.

"Thanks for getting it back."

"You are welcome."

Ms. Ada gave her some time to leaf through some pages of the journal before going on with her main reason for visiting.

"Well, there's the will or rather, there are the wills. I'll be giving you a copy of both but I'll just go over it roughly right now, if there's anything you don't understand, we can talk about it or call me anytime to clear things up. Jeremy left pretty much everything to you; his estates, undeveloped lands and shares. There are other properties specified in your mother's will which have also been left to you," Ms Ada paused to ensure Claire was following.

"But then there's the issue of you being a minor and your parents named a legal guardian who would also serve as conservator of most of your inheritance until you come of age. You'll receive a monthly stipend which will cover your daily living expenses. Your college tuition will be covered by a trust fund which they had opened for that specific purpose Do you understand everything I've said so far?" She asked and Claire nodded.

"You've probably never heard of this person before. But she and your mother were such good friends when they were just kids and they kinda kept in touch even after your mother moved out here. Her name is Maureen Thatcher, apparently she's your godmother and was named conservator by your parents."

"Mother never mentioned her," Claire said.

"I guessed as much. She was supposed to fly out here two days ago but she got held up. Something urgent came up." Ada knew her words had come out the wrong way. But she wasn't sure exactly what had held Maureen up, but it definitely had to be important because the two women, Maureen and Anna had been pretty close. And there was the raw pain Maureen had been unable to conceal over the phone when she had learnt of Anna's passing.

"Ok." Claire said simply.

"Finally, there's a letter from your Mom and a key to a safe located somewhere stated in the letter," Anna slid a small brown envelope across to Claire and a bigger one.

"I'll have to get going now," Ada said after she had gathered all her stuffs. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me on any of my mobile numbers. I'll call you if I get any update on Maureen."

"Sure."