Have a Happy New Year, everyone!!!!
I figured that since the first 20% of my book is free to view when you visit Smashwords (where you can obtain an e-Book copy: link to follow), that I could do the same thing on my site. So, over the next few days, I'll run the "free" part of my book for all of you. I hope you enjoy it.
I am also very proud to announce that I am now a contributing author to Operation e-Book Drop.It is a group of independent authors who donate their ebooks to deployed coalition troops.
“Well, that’s it then,” Bob said as he wearily removed his glasses. “I can’t believe he’s gone. You know, Paul, I feel like it’s my fault that this happened.”
Paul leaned forward and said, “Hey, we’ve been through this a thousand times already. You did everything that you possibly could to get him out of there. It’s not your fault that he was too stubborn to leave.”
“I know, Paul, it’s just that in the back of my mind, I feel that I could have done something more, that’s all.”
Bob eased himself from his highly polished walnut desk and turned to look out the window. His law office was located on the twelfth floor of a twenty-story office tower that overlooked the ocean. It amazed him that he ever got involved with the old man to begin with. It seemed like just a simple thing at first; this guy comes into the office to get his affairs in order, the will is written, witnessed, and the bill is sent: end of story. Yet, there was something about the older gentleman that spoke to Bob. Was it the way he talked, with that unique New England accent, or the fact that there seemed to be some sort of urgency in the way he was going about settling his affairs.
While Bob stared at the sailboats plying around the bay, he remembered that meeting like it was yesterday:
Bob stood up from his desk and said, “Hello Mr. Sanders, please come in and make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you, and please call me Steve.”
“OK, Steve, what can I do for you today?”
Steve settled in his chair and said, “Well, I need to talk to you about getting a will set-up. I've never done anything like this before, so I'll need you to walk me through the entire process. Also, there's some urgency to this, so if we could conclude this business today, that would be great.”
Bob, leaned slightly forward in his chair and studied the person seated in front of him. Steve was fairly tall at 6 feet 4 inches and seemed to be in pretty good shape. Not much fat on this 60-year old frame; actually, he seemed to be in good health
Bob asked, “You know, I'll be happy to help with this, but is there a specific reason for the urgency?”
Looking somewhat uncomfortable, Steve answered, “Yes, there is, but without going into too much detail, let’s just say that my current housing situation is not the greatest.”
“Alright,” Bob slowly answered, “forgive me for saying so, but if you can afford to come to this firm and you have the resources to make having a will necessary, shouldn’t you be able to simply move away to a safer area?”
Chuckling, Steve replied, “Believe me, I wish it were that simple.”
Leaning back in his chair, Bob asked, “I see here that you live in Vermont, what made you decide to drive all this way to come see me? Not that I'm complaining, mind you, just curious.”
Steve looked over at Bob and said, “Well, to be truthful, I was having dinner with one of my old army buddies and when I mentioned that I was thinking about having a will drawn-up, he recommended you. He said you were very intelligent and trustworthy. So, I decided to come and see if he was right.”
Laughing, Bob replied, “Well, I'll do my best to live up to your lofty expectations. Now then, shall we get started?”
From just that simple exchange, Bob decided that he actually liked this guy. He didn't know of many people that can be in a dangerous situation and actually have the fortitude to make light of it. So, turning back to the work at hand, Bob continued the process of drafting the will. It was during the natural course of the interview, that it soon became apparent that we had a great deal in common and soon became fast friends.
To be continued...
The Farm House: Chapter-1B
Copyright © 2010 by Tim A Hicks. All Rights Reserved
You can get an e-Book copy of my book here...
The Farm House on Smashwords
Happy New Year
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