Mothers Eyes

Concealed Family

Grace walked back into the room with a gentle smile, her presence a small comfort amidst the chaos. "Theo, I have a space for you to wait while you gather your thoughts and wait for your children to arrive," she said.

Theo expected a chapel or at least a sterile, empty room, but to her surprise, Grace led her to a cozy, beautifully furnished room that resembled a well-appointed living room. Soft lighting illuminated the space, and it was complete with a plush couch, two inviting chairs, and a coffee table loaded with magazines. A mini fridge stood in the corner, stocked with a variety of drinks and snacks. "Thank you, Grace," was all Theo could manage to say as she stepped inside.

Grace’s understanding gaze lingered on Theo for a moment before she continued, "Some officers and a representative from the company will be coming in shortly to discuss the details of the accident with you." Theo nodded, feeling overwhelmed yet grateful for the comfort of the room as her heart raced with anxiety. A few moments after settling into a chair, the door swung open, and in walked Ryder, Remi, and Jewels.

Their faces were filled with palpable fear, and they rushed to their mom, seeking solace in her embrace. In that moment, Theo dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms tightly around them as tears streamed down her cheeks. "He's gone, babies. There wasn't anything we could do," she trembled, the weight of her words heavy in the air. Jewels, instinctively sensing the grief, joined them in a tight circle, and together they huddled, holding one another as they tried to navigate the turbulent sea of loss.

Just then, a knock at the door startled them, breaking the fragile sanctuary they had built. Two officers, imposing in their uniforms, stepped inside, flanked by a man in a suit who appeared composed yet serious. The officers introduced themselves, their voices steady, and asked Theo if she felt ready to talk about her husband's tragic accident. She looked down at her children, who were clutching her tightly, and asked Jewels to take them to get something to eat.

The children insisted they wanted to stay by their mother’s side unwavering. Reluctantly, Theo agreed, telling them gently that if it became too difficult, they could leave at any moment. Once everyone was seated, one of the officers cleared his throat and began, "At 1:30 A.M. on December twenty-eighth, we received a distressing call indicating that two men had been found in the old parking lot of Stred Lumber. One was badly injured, and the other wasn’t breathing."

Theo's heart raced with dread as she pressed a hand to her mouth, her mind racing. "Who was the other man?" she whispered urgently. "Nobody told you?" the officer said, his tone now somber. "It was Charles Lawrins, your husband’s great-uncle. He was declared dead on arrival." Theo felt as if the world was spinning with the confusion in her mind.

The officer continued, "Both men had sustained similar wounds in the exact same spot, and they bore matching tattoos in that location." Shock washed over her as she processed the information. "Do you know how this happened to them?" Theo managed to ask, her voice trembling. “It is currently under investigation. We’re diligently working to find out exactly what occurred,” the officer replied, his eyes softening in compassion.

“Tate, your husband, was listed as Charles's next of kin. We were informed that he passed away, which means you and your children are now the only remaining relatives. We were hoping you could assist us. Do you know why they were at Stred Lumber?” Theo shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry, I was wondering the same thing. Tate worked on industrial machinery; maybe he was there to work on the machines."

The officer's brow furrowed in concern as he explained to her, "The lumber factory closed in 1987. So, that’s not a plausible reason for their presence." They both turned to the man in the suit, hoping he might shed light on the situation. He spoke up, his voice steady but gentle. "I don’t know why they were there. I’m here to inform you, Theo, and your children, that you are now the last of the Lawrins family following Tate’s passing. With that, you are the sole beneficiaries of the Lawrins estate. I’m here to discuss the inheritance and its stipulations."

Theo felt a wave of shock wash over her; she had no idea there was an estate, and her husband had never mentioned it to her. Her mind raced with questions about what this meant for her family and what kind of legacy Tate had left behind. The officer broke the heavy silence, asking, “Mrs. Lawrins, can you tell us anything about the tattoos? Do you have any idea why both men had them in the same spot, or what they signify?”

Theo took a deep breath, trying to think clearly amidst the chaos. “Tate got that tattoo with his father before we got together. He always referred to it as a family symbol. Beyond that, I don’t know much about it." The officers thanked the stunned family for their time and asked them to reach out if they could think of anything else that might help resolve the case. They assured them they would keep in touch concerning the case's developments before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind them.

Once the officers were gone, the gentleman in the suit rose from his chair, his demeanor professional yet warm. "My name is Devin Witzer. I have served as the Lawrins family attorney for seventeen years, and my father practiced before me for forty-one years," he stated, extending a hand toward Theo. "What do you say we continue our discussion at the Lawrins family home? I have all the documents and information regarding the inheritance there." Theo looked around, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She was about to navigate an uncharted territory filled with grief, discovery, and unforeseen responsibilities, all while trying to support her children during a time of unimaginable loss.