The Unexpected Chance

The Call

I wake up and its just me and Ivy in bed. I look down at my sleeping beauty who loves playing princesses and dressing in pink. She looks nearly identical to me. Black wavy hair, tan skin and has the cutest button nose. Her eyes though…those are what you see first. She didn’t inherit her eyes from me but from her father. She has Mr Frog tucked into her side, so I slip out of bed. Its still early so I know exactly where Gio will be. My son, who is a few inches taller than his sister, has dirty blonde hair and eyes that mirror mine…just with more life to them. He’s a little lighter than me and Ivy but not by much, he is still so handsome. He gives me a big goofy grin when he sees me walk in. I walk over to him sitting on the couch watching the early morning cartoons. “goo mornan Mama.” I smile back at him and kiss his head, “good morning my lovebug, how was your sleep?” I need coffee…asap. “It was good Mama. Me and Sissy watch a moovie. The one with tha hook and monana and the chicken!” He’s so excited while telling me, I can’t help the grin that escapes. “You mean Moana? You and Sissy watched Moana? Mama loves that movie.” I walk over to the kitchen and flick the kettle on and get my morning coffee going and start pulling ingredients out for pancakes. Gio will watch his cartoons until Ivy wakes up, then they’ll both sit down for breakfast together. “Yeah that one! Can we watch it tonight Mama? With you? Pweeeease?” He’s nearly jumping off the couch, ready to burst with all his energy. I chuckle, “yes of course we can watch. Well put it on once you and Ivy have washed and eaten. Sound like a plan?” He fist pumps the air and lets out a quick “yes!” I don’t know where he learnt that, but its funny to watch, I laugh and make my coffee and take a sip then go on about making pancakes for breakfast. 15 minutes have gone by when I look at the time and turn the kettle on again, Sarah will be up shortly, I’ll make her a coffee so its ready for her. She’s like clockwork that lady. Pancakes are just about ready and I’m cleaning the kitchen when I hear Sarah’s door open and little feet coming out at the same time. I turn around in time to see Sarah and Ivy walk out of the rooms, they both stop and look to each other….then Ivy lifts Mr Frog and they both say good morning to Aunt Sarah. Ivy walks over to me while Sarah goes over to Gio and kisses him on the head. “Good morning Squirt”, Gio is not a fan of that nickname. “I’m no Squirt Aunt Sawah!” His face is stern, and his arms are crossed over his chest. “Ah yes, that’s right, you grew into a big boy overnight didn’t cha?” Sarah’s walking backwards with her finger pointed in Gio’s direction and a smirk on her face. Gio gets up and starts making his way to the table for breakfast. Ivy is already sitting at the table with her eyes still half closed and a fork tightly gripped in her hand. Gio has his nose turned up at Sarah with his arms still crossed. I laugh, I don’t know where I would be without these three humans in this room. “Thanks for the joe sweet cheeks”, Sarah takes a big sip of her coffee and does her little groan. “No problem sugar plum”. The three are sitting at the table eating breakfast while I go back into the room and straighten things out. I get the twins bags ready and their clothes laid out ready for them to change into. I grab myself some clothes and go take care of business in the bathroom and get ready in there. It doesn’t take long. A simple black tank and my trusty dark denim jeans. I brush my hair and tie it up in a quick and easy ponytail. Once I’m all done, I head back out and back the kids’ lunches. They have about 20 minutes before we have to be out the door. It takes me 5 to do lunch boxes and by then, everyone has finished breakfast. I quickly put the dishes in the sink and take the kids into the room to get dressed. Gio is fast, he’s ready in 5, while Ivy takes me 10 minutes to change and put the hairstyle of her choosing in. So now, were rushing out the door. They both put on their shoes and jackets, and I hand them their backpacks. Sarah is waiting, “Did you need a hand getting them there?”, I feel rushed, but this is normal. Its hard work with two kids. “Nah, well be fine. Ill be back soon though. Say bye to Aunt Sarah.” They both wave and say at the same time, “Bye Aunt Sawah.” Sarah just chuckles while shaking her head, she looks at me and says, “that will never get old. Twin Spidey-senses. I’m telling you, it’s a thing.” Its funny how even to this day, they can still make Aunt Sarah say the most craziest things. It takes me 30 Minutes to drop them off to kindergarten and get back to the apartment. Its my day off today so its cleaning day. Time to catch up on laundry. As I walk through the door, Sarah is getting ready to leave for her shift. “Hey, remember to call that number. I want to know if its you or if they sent it to the wrong person.” She’s grabbing her coat to put on and her shoes. “Isn’t the saying curiosity killed the cat”, I smiled. She stands to her full height, which is still a few inches shorter than me and says, ‘nope, curiosity conjured the cat. Or something like that, but it wasn’t killed. So that means you have to ring that number.” She has a mischievous grin on her face, and I can’t help the laugh. “Yeah yeah, I’ll ring the number now before I forget.” And I will forget. “Great, oh and Moon?” I turn to look back at her before she walks out the door. “You should smile more often…it suits you.” I reply back with a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes, “I smile plenty within these walls S, I’m okay…promise.” It’s not like I don’t ever smile; I just only smile when I like something – or someone. I really am not a big fan of people either, which is weird since my job means that’s who I have to constantly work with. She nods her head and then she’s gone. I keep my word and go grab the card and letter out of my room and sit down on the single armchair. I scan the letter again then grab the card and tap the number in. I’m sure that whoever this was supposed to go to didn’t miss out on anything because I didn’t open it earlier. It rings a few times before someone answers. “Hello, you have reached Silver Law, how may I help you?”. Silver Law? I’ve never heard of them before. “Ah yes hello, I received a letter, and it had this number on it, but I don’t think it’s for m-“ I’m cut off by the lady, “okay and what is your name?” I pull the phone away from my face for a second to glare at it like she can see me. “Moon Davies.” I roll my eyes at this woman’s rudeness and rest my elbows on my legs. I can hear her tapping away on her keyboard. “Ah yes, Miss Silver. I’ll transfer you through now.” What? Is she serious? “Wait that’s no-“ And I’m once again, cut off. Cue second eyeroll. The line is playing that elevator music and I sink back into the armchair. Its not even 10am yet and my brain is already starting to pound. Seriously though, if she would have just let me finish my sentence, she would have understood that the letter was sent to the wrong person. I’m not Miss Silver. “Hello this is Mr. Lakes, whom am I speaking with?” Okay now this straightened out. “Hello Mr. Lakes, this is Moon Davies. I received a letter from your company but I’m afraid it is addressed to someone else. I’m only ringing to inform you of this mistake.” Its quiet for a beat before he speaks again. “Miss Davies is there a time we can arrange to meet. Id like to inform you that there is no mistake and there are matters that we need to discuss concerning the estate and your inheritance.” My mind is blank. Estate…as in property? And what! Inheritance! What the hell is going on? “Umm excuse me but what the hell are you talking about? I don’t know anyone whose place or money I would be getting so I really think you have the wrong person.” I hear him sigh on the other end. “Miss Davies, can we meet at my office at 1pm to discuss this in person. I have documents for you to sign and files to go over with you. Everything will be explained when you get here.” I’m lost for words, so I just say, “ok - what’s the address?” Once I have that we hang up with plans to meet. My brain is so jumbled and the only words I can think of to be appropriate to say right not comes tumbling out while I stare at the wall. “f*****g hell.”