Troublesome Inheritance: To Be Or Not To Be Wealthy - That is The Problem!

By Denisa Claris Cooke

Religious fiction: Dennell Richards, who was orphaned young and partly reared by her grandparents and partly by her mother's friend, inherits from her grandfather, and later from an uncle who she didn't know existed. She isn't sure that she wants the inheritances because of her religious beliefs. Also, the boy she thought of as a brother as they grew to adulthood together, now wants to marry her. She and her family are against this union. In the process for deciding what to do about her inheritances, Dennell has many new experiences such as changing careers, developing new relationships and nearly losing her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483503813

Denisa Claris Cooke

Denisa Claris Cooke began writing religious fiction books at the age of seventy-eight as a hobby, which became an interesting second career. She is a retired teacher, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who lives in Colorado on the Western Slope. Denisa wants the message to get out there that a person is never too old or disabled (within reason) to begin new adventures and learn new things. She believes that even if you must get old in body, your mind can stay young and productive. Denisa has written seven books, published five, and plans to keep going as long as possible.

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Chapter 1

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, Dennell sang to the image in the mirror. So, now you are twenty-eight. What do you have to show for the twenty-eight years that God has granted you on this earth?" she asked the image. Hmm, I managed to reach adulthood, which wasn’t always easy, but not very difficult either. I became a sincere Christian, but neither of those were very much by my own effort, but more that of Mom Phillips. I did achieve a college education and secure a decent job and I did those things on my own; well, except my grandfather paid for the education. I manage to support myself with my own income, but at twenty-eight, I certainly should be able to do that. I have good friends, and a - sort-of step brother and sister and grandparents. She gazed at her image as these thoughts roamed through her mind. The image looking back at her was attractive, with dark, short-cropped, curly hair, green eyes and a slender body. But, her parents were responsible for that, she thought. So, I’m at an okay place in my life, but........nothing special. Maybe I should remedy that in the near future.

Right now, I had better get myself ready and get to my grandparents’ home for lunch, then I have that birthday party tonight. Thank you, God, for family and friends.

Her group of seven friends were having a girls night out" to celebrate the twenty-eighth birthday of Dennell Richards. The night was beautiful and the Miami weather couldn’t have been nicer for February. Dennell was a favorite among the group as she was pretty, friendly and giving. Her small straight nose and beautiful smile gave her a model’s look. Her skin had just enough of a brown tint to give her a perpetual tan. Friends referred to her as a role model because she was honest, hardworking, polite, and clean living. Women were interested in her simply because they liked her. Men enjoyed her company because of her delightful personality, her beauty and her keen mind.

Her parents had both died due to a tragic plane accident when Dennell was just five years old. Her grandparents, her father’s parents, received custody of her and took her into their home and cared for her some of the time. Most of the time she was mothered by a nanny or by her mother’s friend, Mrs. Phillips. Her grandfather was very successful in the banking industry and her grandmother stayed active doing charity work and playing the role of a society lady. They did not feel a fondness for Dennell even though she was their only grandchild, and showed no affection toward her. Dennell’s kind heart and gentle personality were due to her nanny and Mrs. Phillips, as was her faith in God. Her grandparents provided well for her financially and made sure that she had the best of educations. They saw to it that she was afforded the opportunity to have lessons in music, dance, art and sports.

As a result, at twenty eight, Dennell was accomplished in her career and modestly successful. She lived on her own salary and not her grandfather’s millions. After college, she did not continue to live with her grandparents, but rented her own small apartment. She even had her last name changed to Richards which was the American version of Ricardo, her mother’s maiden name. She wanted to be independent and not connected in any way with the Conner name. She wanted people to understand that she succeeded on her own, and not because of her grandfather’s wealth. Her success was because she worked hard, practiced the Golden Rule, and tried very hard to live her faith in God. She had not really wanted the job that she had, but her grandfather had wanted her to be in the banking field. However, after working in the bank during the summers of her high school years, she knew that this was not what she wanted. She compromised and went into the financial investment field. She enjoyed the challenge of the stock market and the interaction with her clients.

Gosh, thanks everyone for this great party - my life is so routine, you know, just work, church and not much else, so I really needed something to add some spice to it.

Well, hey, you could have some social life if you would date more instead of that stuffed shirt you concentrate on, stated Janine.

Ah, you know I don’t want a serious relationship right now - just someone to be with now and then and he isn’t really a stuffed shirt.

Right, he’s just adventurous and fun loving, Renae teased. So, what else have you done today besides work?

Not much; I spent some time with my grandparents at lunch but they are so over whelming and dictatorial that I can’t relax with them, and I need to relax for a while and be with friends. They had all agreed to dress up for this occasion and Dennell wore a pretty dress in her favorite color, green. The table where they were dining was heavy with delightful dishes from the French chef of this restaurant and the champagne glasses were full. Conversation flowed freely among the festive friends.

Then Maggie got up and began, Ladies, we are here to celebrate the twenty-eighth birthday of Ms. Dennell Richards. I ask all of you to join me in drinking to her long life and happiness. Oh, and it is alcohol free champagne so feel free to drink up.

Speech, speech, someone shouted.

Just as Dennell was rising good naturedly to give her speech, a waiter came to her with a note. She read the note quickly and then turned to the waiter.

My grandmother wants me on the phone her now?

Yes, Ms. Richards. She said it is important. She’s still on the phone.

I can’t think why - I just saw her at lunch time today. Please inform her that I am busy at the moment and that I will contact her in the morning from my home. I will be happy to accommodate her at that time. Dennell thought to herself that she should not have informed her grandparents as to where she would be this evening, but she had developed the habit of letting them know where she could be reached. She supposed she should just give them her cell phone number and be done with it but she was still reluctant to do that.

Because of her grandmother wanting her, Dennell had to put up with some teasing. Janine kidded her, What have you done now, Dennell, to displease your grandmother?

I don’t know what she wants, but whatever it is, it can wait.

Good, said Renae, Now, for Dennell’s speech!

Dennell once again proceeded to give her speech and once again was interrupted.

I’m so sorry, Madam, but your grandmother phoned again to say that she absolutely must talk with you now.

Dennell started to become anxious and told the waiter that she would call her grandmother from her cell phone. She excused herself to go outside so that she wouldn’t disturb the other diners.

Sorry to bother you, Dennell, but the most awful thing has happened and I need for you to come home immediately, her grandmother said brokenly.

Now, but why now? You knew I would be having a birthday celebration with my friends. What could possibly be that important?

Dennell was usually very patient but her friends had gone to quite some trouble to arrange this birthday celebration and she didn’t want to disappoint them. Too, her grandparents had been rather irritated that she hadn’t spent much time with them. Why, she didn’t know. She thought that perhaps her grandmother was just being a nuisance to get back at her for preferring her friends to them.

You don’t understand, Dennell, it is just terrible. Please come now.

Can‘t you tell me over the phone, Grandmother? Now, what it is?

If - if that is what you want. Your grandfather had a heart attack and passed away about a couple hours ago, her grandmother managed to say in a gasping voice.

Dennell turned pale and the room abruptly seemed to be floating away from her. She grabbed on to the railing in front of her. "My - my grandfather is - gone? But, I just

had lunch with him today. I don’t understand. Was he taken to a hospital?"

Yes, but it was too late - he died on the way there. Please come, Dennell, I need you now. Of course, Grandmother, I’ll be there as soon as I can get there. I’m so sorry. Is there someone there with you?

Just my maid, but I don’t know what to do now.

Yes, yes, of course. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Dennell went back inside and asked the waiter if he could tell her friends why she left?

The waiter, still standing in the background, nodded. I’ll tell them.

But wait, you don’t know what to tell them. Tell them - that - my grandfather had a heart attack a couple hours ago and has passed away. Got it?

Yes, I’ll tell them, and I’m sorry to hear that.

After she arrived at her grandparents’ mansion, she found her grandmother very distraught and weeping. Since Dennell had never seen her grandmother upset or out of control in any way, this was quite a shock. She had no idea how to help her or comfort her, but she did offer. Mostly, her grandmother just wanted to talk and for Dennell to listen, which she did. Her grandmother ask Dennell if she would stay on at the mansion, at least, for a few weeks. Dennell agreed as she felt it was her duty, and together they made the final arrangements for her grandfather.

The funeral was an elaborate affair, with many in attendance. Even though it was not a requirement any longer, her grandmother wore black and decreed that Dennell do so. It was a long, uncomfortable, somber service and they were both relieved to get back home afterward. Dennell hated funerals, anyway, as she was of the opinion that they were outdated, unnecessary, and a public display of the family’s grief. She opted much more for cremation and a short service at the graveyard. That was enough for people to pay their respects to the ones who passed. But, her grandmother had wanted the large, elaborate service as she felt it was expected of her, because Calvin James Conner had been an important man in the area.

Two days after her grandfather’s funeral a final will and testament was read, and as was expected, the former banker bequeathed most of his estate to his wife, Edwina. He left one million dollars to his granddaughter, Dennell. It was hers without conditions, without an admonition, without conditions. There were to be no taxes paid on the one million by Dennell, as these were to be taken from the estate. Dennell’s Grandfather believed that he had drilled into her an unmistakable conception of what was hoped of her in life; if she failed in these expectations the misfortune would be hers alone to bear; a road had been carved out for her and her grandfather’s guide posts and instructions might be ignored but never forgotten. Calvin Conner evidently had the conviction that it was necessary for him to die before anybody else could possess his money, and that once dead, it would be folly for him to worry over the way in which beneficiaries might choose to manage their own affairs. However, he was adamant that much of his fortune would be left to charity and to the charities that he felt were the neediest and the most honest. Dennell was free to spend her one million as she chose.

Since Calvin Conner was worth nearly a quarter of a billion dollars, one million was almost insulting. Dennell Richards no longer had prospects. She realized that she had come into a million, but no more than that. Her grandfather stated in his will that her grandmother was free to spend what she wished in whatever manner she wished but when her grandmother passed away, the estate was to go to charity. There were many charities listed with the exact amounts named for each. The house and grounds of the estate were to be converted into a home for abused and abandoned children. It was not to be an orphanage as such, but a real home, in which these children would have comfort and security. He knew that, like Dennell, there were children who for one reason or another, no longer had parents, but unlike Dennell, did not have wealthy grandparents to care for them. He had also learned that there were many children who were abused by one or both parents, as he had been. He wanted these children to have an escape, and not be left to suffer or to take to the streets for survival.

Not many knew of Calvin’s background, that he came from a moderately well-to-do family, but that his father had been very abusive. He had escaped at sixteen, and found jobs and survived until he could go to college. He had worked his way through college and it had taken him six years, but from that time, his life changed. He had worked hard so that neither he nor his children would ever be poor, homeless, or abused. He was of the opinion that you got what you deserved, what you earned, and otherwise, you did without. He had set out to earn a great deal and he had done just that.

Since her grandfather’s death, Dennell has been staying at the gloomy old mansion with her grandmother. It had been raining for several days and that made the place even gloomier. She supposed that to many, it was beautiful and worthy of admiration. It was huge with many rooms and of the Victorian style. Her grandfather acertained that it was kept in elegant condition. The kitchen and bathrooms had been updated, but otherwise, the ninety year old mansion was decorated much as it had been originally. To Dennell, it had always seemed overwhelming and much too formal. She could never feel comfortable there. Now the gloom of death still darkened the place and there was a stillness, a gentle quiet about the house that made her long for her more cheerful apartment and for her friends. Her friends felt uncomfortable visiting her at the mansion. Renae said it was like visiting a museum and Janine said Dennell’s grandparents scared her half to death. Dennell had developed her friendships with these girls after she came home from college and moved into her own apartment. She enjoyed being with them when she could fit in time in her schedule to socialize. When they couldn’t see each other, they often phoned or texted.

Her grandmother seemed to be but a shadow of her former self and stayed in her room most of the time. Dennell wanted to console her but as usual, her grandmother really didn’t want her sympathy. Dennell wondered why she wanted her to stay there and what emotions, if any, her grandmother experienced? She had not seen her display any since the day Calvin had died. She was so formal, distant and private that it was impossible to know how she felt about anything. She had not shed any tears at the funeral, but that was in character. Her grandparents rarely showed any affection or emotion whatever. Did she care that her husband was gone? Dennell knew that she must as she stayed in her room so much now.

Dennell needed to get back to her office and her job. She was modestly successful and doing okay financially before the one million came her way, but she couldn’t afford to be absent from her work for very long. The stock market varied

by the hour. She could have had a good life without the million, but perhaps, not the spectacular life she had eventually envisioned. She had not really considered the death of her grandfather this soon, but had expected him to live for a number of years yet. She had thought that in the dim future, she would inherit from her grandparents, but certainly not when she was still this young. She was also distraught with the media. How had they gotten the information concerning her grandfather’s will? Had her grandmother’s lawyer leaked it, or had her grandmother conversed with some of her friends about it? Whoever had informed the media, it was unfortunate as it was creating problems and

discomfort for Dennell and her grandmother. Surely a will should have been a private matter. She supposed that in this time of mass media, nothing much was private.

Dennell wondered dimly if the expectation of a fortune always demanded respect for one, and if that respect disappeared when the fortune didn’t quite materialize. She had no affection for the old dictator who had been her grandfather, but still, he had treated her well and taught her a valuable amount of business knowledge. The attitude of the press who congratulated her on her inheritance but repelled her for not receiving more or all, haunted her. She was haunted, too, by memories of her childhood, and by regret for her own foolish thoughtlessness. She could have been more attentive to her grandparents after she came home from college. They may not have shown her love, but they had supported her, quite grandly, actually. She felt confusion about her inheritance.

She was glad on the one hand that she had only received the one million as she felt she did not deserve more, but rather disappointed that she hadn’t received more. Yet, she was glad that most of the fortune would go to help others. If she had gotten it all, she wasn’t sure that she would have used so much of it for others. God had chosen to lead her grandfather in the right direction in disposing of his wealth. She wondered if her grandfather had realized that God was directing him in this way. Probably not - she could not even be sure her grandfather was a believer. Now she felt ashamed for not knowing, and for not trying to bring him to the Lord if he weren’t a believer. She should have spent more time talking with her grandparents, but they never seemed to have time for her. Yet, perhaps she could have insisted. It had just been easier to let them go on about their business and not bother them.

Renae and Janine still kept in touch with Dennell and were happy that she had received a million from her grandfather. They didn’t care one iota that she hadn’t gotten more. In fact, they felt more as equal peers because she hadn’t gotten more. Her other friends weren’t as close and she didn’t hear from them as often so she wasn’t sure how they felt. Renae and Janine were Christians and went to the same church as Dennell so they had more in common with her. They had both contacted her and sent flowers when her grandfather passed away. Dennell often thought that if she didn’t have her faith in God, the Phillips family and her friends, she just couldn’t cope with life sometimes. She thanked God for them every night when she prayed.

Dennell’s lawyer, Jordon Harris, stirred her out of sleep one early morning, Dennell, sorry to bother you so early, but I wanted to warn you to be careful of scams and of people wanting your money. Even though, you only received one million, to many that is a fortune, and to be shared. Mr. Harris told her how innocent females had been fleeced out of their wealth. He also informed her how to avoid this by the year, month, day and hour. As yet, she hadn’t been bothered much, but had had several calls from charities. She had just told them her standard replay; that she already had charities that she favored and would not be acquiring any new ones for donation demands. Often, when she noticed on her caller I.D. that it was a charity calling, or if the number was unfamiliar, she didn’t answer the call. As an investment broker, she had learned about safe and unsafe places to put your money. She knew about fraud and extortion. She had already donated a substantial amount to her church, as she had been taught to tithe. Her church needed a new youth center and the money she donated would go a long way toward providing that.

The directors of the bank where her grandfather had owned controlling stock, met and adopted resolutions and passed the leadership on to the first vice-president, Mr. Anderson. The question of admitting Dennell to the board was brought up and discussed, but it was left for another time to settle. Her grandfather had not stated in his will that she should become a member of the board, so that position for her was questionable. One of the directors, Jeb Conway, was rather fond of young Dennell. He had been a frequent visitor at her grandparents’ house while Dennell was growing up. As they left the director’s room, Mr. Conway came up to Dennell.

"Well, my dear girl, now you have a chance to show what you can do on your own. You didn’t get the fortune you had thought to get, but with good judgment, you ought to be able to triple the million that you did receive. If I can help you in any way,

phone me." Dennell thanked him and gave him a quick hug.

The old gentleman continued, "Take your time about deciding how to spend or invest your million. Many people will try to tell you how to do that, but don’t listen to any of them. You have a new chance to make money, so go wisely. Keep your eyes open.

You have the education to make the most of what you inherited, so make the most of it."

Dennell thanked him again and assured him that she would think carefully before making any decisions. Actually, she didn’t really want to be on the board of directors. She knew that she would not be a good fit and would be ill at ease at the meetings. There was only one woman on the board and she had worked at the bank for thirty years and invested in some of the stock as she could. Dennell didn’t actually know any of the other board members except Jeb and she adored him. Her grandmother would take her grandfather’s place on the board, Dennell supposed. At least that seemed logical. She wondered if her grandmother would agree to that or know how to participate as a member? She hadn’t had much business experience, but Dennell supposed she had learned some from her husband over the years.

Chapter 2

Mrs. Denise Phillips lived on Fountain Street. For years Dennell had regarded the quiet, old fashioned home almost as her own. The house had once belonged to Mrs. Phillips’ grandfather and it was one of the oldest in that part of town. It was there that Mrs. Phillips was born’ in its old parlor; it was where she had spent her girlhood; where she was married and lived her much too short wedded life, and where she spent her widowhood. Mrs. Phillips and Dennell’s mother had been schoolmates and playmates, and their friendship had endured. In fact, Dennell had been named with a combination of Mrs. Phillips’ first name, Denise, and her mother’s first name, Ellenia. When old Calvin Conner had looked about for a place to house his orphaned granddaughter and Mrs. Phillips had found out about her parents death, she had begged him to let her care for the little girl. He was reluctant as he had not liked Dennell’s mother, and therefore didn’t care for her friends, but he was also in need for someone to keep the girl for much of the time. He kept a nanny on the staff at the mansion to attend to Dennell when she was there, but he didn’t really want her at the mansion very often. Young children were a nuisance and he didn’t much care about them.

Dennell was one year older than Mrs. Phillips’ daughter, Maggie, and two years younger than her son, Gareth and the children were reared as siblings. Dennell went to her grandparents’ mansion only when it was convenient for them to have her. Even then, they didn’t have much time for her. Her grandmother took her to a few events now and then to show her off, so that people would think that she was burdened with tending her granddaughter.

Mr. Conner was generous in providing for Dennell. Even while she was away at college, Mrs. Phillips was well paid for the unused but well-kept room that Dennell used, so that it would be available for her when she was home on vacations. There weren’t any murmurs of complaint from Mr. Conner about the expense or the care that was given to Dennell by Mrs. Phillips. He was hard, but met his obligations fairly. When Dennell came home for vacations, it was to Mrs. Phillips’ home that she went. Often times, Maggie and Gareth were there at the same time and they enjoyed each other’s company. She usually was invited for dinner at least one night to her grandparents’ mansion while she was home on vacations. Her summers between college terms were spent party at the mansion and mostly at Mrs. Phillips’, her real home.

It had been something of a struggle for Mrs. Phillips to make her budget meet all its demands. The property on Fountain Street was her only possession. She had received only enough money to pay off the mortgage on their house at her husband’s death. For years she kept the old home unencumbered, teaching French and English until Maggie and Gareth were well in their teens. The money she received for the upkeep of Dennell helped some, but most of that went for Dennell. Mrs. Phillips had to account to Mr. Conner as to how the money was spent.

Maggie and Gareth both managed to get scholarships to good colleges as they had studied hard and gotten excellent grades. They knew that they had to receive scholarships or not go to college as their mother could never afford college for them. They worked part time while in college and lived cheaply, so they managed. They came home well prepared to help their mother battle the finances. Maggie had many friends. She was pretty, with reddish blond, curly hair and blue eyes and was a little bit of a girl who stood only five feet, two inches tall. She was bright, and cheerful and knew few natural inabilities. Her mother had taught all the children to be good Christians and have a firm belief in God. With a light heart, Maggie faced adversity as though it were a pleasure, and no one could take her down. At twenty seven, she still lived at home with her mama to help with the expenses. Also, Mrs. Phillips had developed rheumatoid arthritis and was no longer able to hold a job and often needed special care. Gareth was a bit more independent, not as trusting and at times his faith wavered just a bit. He was a good looking guy, with dark wavy hair and very blue eyes like Maggie. Gareth and Maggie worked hard and did well, but they didn’t have the advantages of being from money, so were not as successful as Dennell. However, for the most part, they were content with their lives, or at least, everyone thought they were.

Now that Dennell had come into her million, she wanted to share it with them. To walk into the little family room/library and serenely lay $500,000 before them as their own seemed such a natural proceeding that she could see no obstacle. But, she knew it was there; the bringer of such a gift to Mrs. Phillips would mean a wound to the pride, and an insult, especially for Gareth. They needed some repairs to the house and Dennell tried to evolve a plan by which she could assume that burden without giving deep and lasting offense. A hundred wild ideas had come to her, but they were quickly relegated to the heap of unfavorable plans because of the need to respect the pride of these three that meant so much to her.

Leaving the bank, she hastened to her car and drove to Fountain Street. The weather had cleared and it was a beautiful sunny day, the kind of Miami day that drew the tourists. She sat in her car for a few minutes, feeling at home and at peace by the sight of the old house, then got out and walked up to