Nelson Family Matters: The Legacy Part II

By Paul Zentmyer

Jack’s beloved grandma and grandpa are now gone, colon cancer having finally taken Joe away. However, Jack receives an unexpected surprise when he is announced as sole heir to the family inheritance, including his grandparents’ mysterious home. He and his wife Jan are now preparing to start their new life together, but nothing is simple with the Nelsons.

Jack’s entire family is still a big pain in the backside as he and Jan try acclimating to their new and unexpected existence. Jack is dealing with not only the responsibilities of being sole inheritor but also working to start a business. The Nelson legacy continues to haunt, though, including the house’s secrets, one of which are hidden chambers beneath Jack’s new residence.

The family continues to break down until a near catastrophe brings them back together. This new catalyst changes some attitudes, and Jack soon finds himself and his father on a trip to discover further family history. What other secret was Grandpa Joe holding onto, and how will its unveiling affect the family he left behind?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Feb 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781665755429

Paul Zentmyer

Paul Zentmyer has always been an avid reader and wrote many short stories when he was younger. Paul and his wife live in Amherst County, Virginia, where they are enjoying retired life with their two dogs.

Book preview

Characters

Chapter 1

Thursday, August 12th

It was two months since Grandpa had died. Jack was spending a little time each day at the office. They had finally agreed on a name, J & J Enterprises. Both businesses would fall under its umbrella. Jack’s business would be Rockbridge Engineering Consultants and Jan had not yet decided on a name for the bakery. At least she had warmed up to the idea of opening it.

A month ago they had driven down to see Travis and June, to meet their grandchildren. Jack also had some of Grandpa’s things to take to Travis. While there they met with both grandchildren who were pretty close to them in age. The granddaughter was sharp in mind and conversation, pleasant to be around, and very friendly. She related family stories, not those Travis had told her but things that she observed. Her cousin was just as intelligent and loved their family’s history but he would rather work with his hands. A few years before he had taken up glass blowing, making all sorts of glassware, both ornamental and functional. He’d established a small business in town and was making a name for himself, not only selling what he made but teaching too.

Before they left Jack and Jan met with Travis and told him they seriously could not see one as a better choice than the other. Travis was disappointed but understood their dilemma, he had the same problem. He thanked them for giving it a try and also for the items from Joe. They drove home feeling like they hadn’t accomplished anything but knowing they gave it their best shot. Jack would think about it and maybe have another option for Travis.

Jan had decided it was time to do something about what Jack’s relatives wanted from the house. They would work on that today. Jack was due home to help her. Jan was standing in the middle of Grandpa’s room looking around when she heard the door open and Jack call her name. I’m back here Jack. There he was in the doorway.

Have you had lunch yet? she asked.

I had something at Irene’s.

Ok, from now on, you go to Irene’s you bring me something.

Yes Ma’am. So where are we starting?

Well, I was looking over the lists your family left and have found many of the items requested. But not all of them.

Where’d you look?

In all the rooms in the house, the basement and even the lower basement. I haven’t gone into the attic yet. Do some of these items even exist anymore? Did Grandpa or Grandma throw them away years ago?

I don’t think so. Let me look at the lists. Jan handed the small stack of papers to Jack and he looked over them. He noticed that Jan had checked off those items she’d found. Ok, so you’ve taken care of Uncle Mike, Dad, Aunt Alice, Uncle Ken, Mike and JJ. I think we’ll find things for George and Steven in the garage. Randy is not getting the flame ring but there should be something in Grandpa’s jewelry box we can give him. Carol and Cammie should be easy. And Mom and Aunt Barbara only want a copy of Grandma’s recipes. I know how to handle that. So, we’re pretty set. One more thing; Grandma always kept things anyone would give her and display them whenever the family visited. I want to give all that back to them.

Where is it all? I don’t see any of it around the house.

Look in the cedar wardrobe over there. He pointed toward the free-standing cedar closet in the corner.

I already did. There’s nothing in it.

Did you lift the bottom board?

What?

The floor in the closet. There is a storage compartment underneath.

No, I didn’t.

Then let’s look. Jack walked over and lifted the floor leaning it against the back wall of the closet. Inside there were ten boxes. Jack began pulling them out and handing them to Jan. When she received them she looked at the tops. On each one there was a name of one of the grandchildren or children and their spouse.

How’d you know?

Jack smiled. Whenever one of them would send or give them something Grandma would put it in their box. When she knew they were coming down she’d take a few things from each box and put them around the house. Made them believe that Grandma always had something of theirs on display, that she liked what she received.

I don’t see a box for you.

Look around. All my stuff was always on display.

Jan looked around and realized he was right and giggled. Even Grandma played favorites. Who knew.

Jack left the room and came back with three large boxes from the basement. They had a supply of them for just this purpose. They’d already packed up clothing and taken it to Goodwill. Jack had gone through the lists to make sure none of them wanted any clothing. There wasn’t much else to donate.

They sorted the boxes by family then checked each one for the items that were requested. Jack suddenly remembered what Steven and George wanted and headed out to the garage to get them. He returned with the skis and poles, a fly fishing rod and small tackle box and a hat, the Tilly.

Jack, what about your grandmother’s recipe book? Aunt Alice wants that.

And she’ll get it as soon as I get it copied. She is not going to be the only person with those recipes, Jack said with a tiny little anger in his voice.

Jack your anger is peeking through again. Tone it down please.

Sorry Honey and thanks for that.

Any time.

I’ve been thinking about Cammie and Carol. How about sending Grandma’s jewelry boxes along. They can pick out what they want then let the rest of the family have the rest. But before that you need to pick out some things yourself, especially of Grandma’s. You were special to her. If you weren’t we wouldn’t be married right now. Don’t worry about what they want just keep what you want.

What about you, Jack?

Have you forgotten too? We own all of this. What the rest are getting is only because I care to share it with them.

Jan stood up, went over to Grandma’s dresser, opened the two jewelry boxes and looked through them. She found an amethyst ring that she thought would go with her brooch and a couple of other items she liked and remembered seeing Grandma wearing. She walked out of the room and took the items to their room and put them away. When she came back down they started packing the boxes. After putting everything in each box they sealed them closed. His phone rang. It was Carol.

Hey Peanut. What’s up?

Oh not much. How about you?

Same here. Jan and I are in the middle of packing the boxes for everyone. How’re things at home? He’d been talking to her for the past few weeks and knew things were not good.

Well, I’m glad neither of them owns a gun. Does that tell you how it’s going?

That bad? Wow. What’s our brother up to? Instigating some of it I’ll bet.

You may be right about that Jack. He does seem to revel in the arguments and often takes Mom’s side. Anyway I had a reason for calling.

Jack was now in Grandpa’s room and put the phone on speaker so Jan could hear. Go ahead and you’re on speaker. Jan’s here.

Good, I can ask you both together. Can I come down for the weekend?

Jan nodded excitedly.

Sure Sis. When can we expect you?

How about in an hour?

Jack laughed at her. You little vixen. Come on. We’ll be ready for you.

Thank you Jack. Thank you Jan. See you in a while.

Jack hung up the phone and laughed.

What’re you laughing at?

Oh my sister. She never ceases to surprise me.

Jack, why do you call her Peanut?

"When we were younger Mom dressed her up as Mrs. Peanut for Halloween. She looked cute in it and I’ve been calling her that ever since. And I’m the only one who gets away with it. Randy called her that once and she socked him in the mouth. He never did it again.

Hey, maybe we can get her to take this stuff home with her and deliver to everyone. That way we don’t have to pay postage.

What about the skis?

She has a hatchback SUV there’ll be plenty of room to get them in. If not, she has a roof rack. I can strap them down. We’ll just put a label with each family’s name on it. All the boxes inside are labeled with names. Let’s make sure each box is taped closed too.

Jack had found a ring box in Grandma’s top drawer and by the looks of it could be the original box for his grandparents’ rings. He placed their rings in the box and handed it to Jan before she went upstairs with her treasures.

Jan, looking at these rings reminds me of something Grandpa told me about ours. That design on the rings? It’s a message or motto you might say. My Great-grandfather had it engraved into the rings when they were made. Want to check it out now? Before my sister gets here?

Sure and you may want to hide that video disc. If she goes through the desk she’ll see it.

Yeah, good idea. We haven’t had any family visit since then so I’ve forgotten about it. I’ll do that right now.

They walked over to the dresser and both took off their rings. Jack placed them together and look at the bottom. It was a jumble of symbols. He rearranged them and looked again. Now they were right. The message was: Fidelity, Love, Trust. They looked at each other and just nodded. Nothing else had to be said. They put their rings back on.

Jack went into the study and proceeded to open the left side of the desk. Once he had it open he took the disc from the center drawer and placed it in the box then closed the side of the desk. He sat down in his chair and looked out the window. Suddenly he realized what he’d thought about it being his chair. He was finally starting to accept that this was their house and not Grandpa’s. Time to move the equipment from upstairs down to the study. This would be his home office now. He got up and walked back into the bedroom.

Hey Jan, have you thought about what we should do with this room?

I was thinking of us using it and when the babies are born we could put their cribs in here until they can be on their own. I mean the room is huge. We could even split it in half if we wanted. What do you think?

"Sounds good. Do you want to use this bed or bring ours down here?

How about we use this frame and bring the mattress set from upstairs. Then we can throw this set out and buy a new one for upstairs.

Why? This is a good set.

Jack, your grandfather died in it. No one is gonna wanna sleep on it.

Oh, yeah. Duh. But they don’t have to know that. Jan laughed at him and shook her head.

They were just starting to sort out the smaller dresser drawers when the driveway alarm went off. Carol was here. Jack jumped up and headed for the door. Flinging it open he bounded down the steps and over to his sister’s car. As she got out he grabbed her in a huge bear hug and lifted her off her feet spinning her around. Then he put her down and hugged her. Jan was in the doorway laughing at his foolishness and inwardly glad to see it. She walked down the steps toward the car.

Hi Carol. Good trip down?

Yeah it was. Not much traffic and no accidents. She walked over to Jan and gave her a hug. Jack was at the car taking her bags out and carrying them to the house.

Jack, put her bags in the room across from ours please.

Wow, the big peoples room. I like it. Maybe I’ll come more often. They all laughed.

When Jack came back down they all sat at the kitchen table. Jan had poured ice teas for each of them.

So Sis, why are you really here?

That obvious huh? Jack nodded and smiled. I just needed to get away. Mom has been in a funk since the last weekend we were here. Dad keeps trying to get her out of it but then just gives up. I don’t know what her problem is.

Do they know you’re here?

No, I just told them I was going away for the weekend.

Wait, its Thursday. What’s up? Aren’t you working?

I don’t have a job anymore.

Do Mom and Dad know?

Oh yeah. I told them as soon as it happened. The owner sold the business and the new owners immediately started merging positions and cutting out other positions and mine was one they cut out. They gave me two months’ pay. It’s a good thing I was living with our parents. But not to worry I’m looking for another job. I just wanted to see you guys while I had the chance.

Since you’re here how about helping us with something.

Sure. What is it?

Jan started to laugh. You should have asked that first.

Come with me, said Jack.

Carol followed them into Grandpa’s room. We’re getting the boxes ready for each family and were going to mail them but with you here perhaps you could take them up and drop them for us? Jack put on his best pleading smile. Carol laughed at her brother.

Jack that was really pitiful. Yes I’ll take them up. Let me see what you have.

It’s those three boxes right there and a pair of skis that are in the garage.

Who’re the skis for?

Steven.

Yeah, that figures. I’ll probably have to strap them on my roof. Not a problem.

Two more things. First, neither you nor Cammie named definite items so how about looking through these. And he held his hand toward the jewelry boxes on the dresser. And if there is anything you want that isn’t jewelry just say so.

Carol looked stunned. But she nodded her head and went over to look through them. Pick out some things for Cammie too. Second, look through Grandpa’s jewelry and find something for Randy. He wanted this, and Jack held up his right hand, But as you can see it’s mine. Oh, a third thing. Tell the moms that it’ll be a while for the recipe book. I have to make copies because all three of them asked for it. I’m giving the original to Aunt Alice since it was her mother’s.

Ooh, make me and Cammie a copy too. Now all the women will have them.

Jack agreed to do that and Carol went to looking through the jewelry. She found some things for Randy and deposited them in his box. Instead of her looking through Grandma’s Jan told her to just put both jewelry boxes in the large box for her family and all the women can look through them after she and Cammie get what they want. That settled it and Carol did as she suggested.

Well, We’ve decided to move down here. That’ll free up another room for guests, at least until the kids move into their own room.

Yeah, about the kids. Would you like to explain that to me?

Jan told Carol what had happened just after Grandpa had passed away. Carol looked at her and nodded her head.

Wow! I don’t know that I could accept that happening. I’d probably go crazy.

Jack looked at his watch. It was dinner time. How about we go to Irene’s for dinner?

The two women nodded their heads and they went out to Jack’s car and drove into town. After parking in the back they walked around to the front entrance and went inside. Jillian greeted them and took them to her section.

How’s it going Jillian? asked Jan.

Pretty good. Business has picked up and we’re getting more work now. Nancy is a hoot. You ought to see it in here when she and Cathy are on together. The two act like best friend sisters. It makes you want to come in on your day off just to watch their antics. Let me get your water while you look over the menus. She put three menus on the table and walked off.

That’s good to hear about Cathy and Nancy. I thought the two would butt heads, said Jan.

Jillian brought their water and waited for a second for their order. Jack ordered the meatloaf, Jan opted for the fried chicken and Carol copied Jan. Jillian walked the order to the carousel then returned. She quietly began to talk to them so that other customers wouldn’t hear.

Jack, Carol what’s the story on your brother? He’s been down here three times to see Allison since Joe died. They seem to be getting closer and I can see a change in Allison. But it’s also affecting Barry. I think he sees Allison as his and doesn’t like Randy’s intrusion. He’s ok when Randy isn’t here. Barry actually likes Randy but doesn’t understand the relationship thing. Can Allison come over and talk to you about him? I think she has a lot of questions and a few concerns.

Sure Jillian. Is she with Barry now?

No, Mark is home.

Why don’t you call her and have her come on out tonight. We’ll be going home after dinner so she can come over then. Said Jan.

As Jillian left the table Jack got that faraway thoughtful look on his face. Jan reached over and tapped his leg. Not your monkeys, not your circus.

Jack snapped back into focus and nodded his head. Their meals arrived and they began eating and talking, enjoying their time together. Carol gave some more information about what’s going on at home, not only with her parents but the other two families. She expressed how sad she’d become since all this started. Jack asked her if his comments or Grandpa’s were to cause.

Jack, I couldn’t say exactly. I’d bet it’s a combination of both. You know, between the two of you that was like a punch in the gut to everyone. Even me. I was hurt a little but by the time we got home I’d figured it all out and accepted what had happened. I tried to explain it to them but there was no getting through. Dad now seems the most receptive. Mom is just so angry and Randy follows her lead. He has absolutely no clue.

Yeah, I know that about our brother. Said Jack. Carol didn’t make any kind of retort.

Dinner over, they paid the bill and tip and went on home. As Jack was opening the front door he heard a vehicle coming up the drive and looked. It was Allison. He let the girls in the door and waited for her. As she came up the stairs he smiled and welcomed her in and she walked past him into the house. She said hello to Jan and Carol and they all went to the kitchen. Jan got four glasses out of the cabinet and poured iced tea for everyone.

So what’s up Allison? Jillian said something about Randy coming down to visit. Is he causing you a problem? asked Jack.

I wouldn’t say he’s causing a problem but he’s not getting the message.

Ah, you don’t want to date him or you don’t want the relationship he wants.

The second one. I enjoy my time with him but he’s coming on kind of heavy. And he’s coming down when I’m working with Barry. That is causing a problem. So, what can I do?

Take your fist and punch him right between the eyes.

Carol started laughing and Jan scolded him and scowled at him. Allison kind of grinned.

I meant figuratively not actually. My brother is intelligent but sometimes doesn’t get the message. You have to be blunt with him. If you want him to call before popping in then tell him plainly to call first. And not when he’s only an hour away. He looked at his sister and grinned. If you don’t want a relationship that’s headed to marriage or you want a long term relationship then tell him that too. He doesn’t get subtle or gentle messages. Be careful though. He has a mean streak. There’s only ever been one person he’s hit and he didn’t do it again. You set the parameters and stick to them. Don’t let him get over on you. Overall he’s a good man. He just wasn’t taught properly. Is that enough?

Allison smiled and nodded her head. Yeah, I think that’s enough.

Where’s he been staying? With you?

Oh God no. Actually I thought he was staying here.

Allison, we didn’t even know he was coming down until Jillian told us. But it’s kind of expected. After what happened at the reading of Grandpa’s will I don’t think my brother wants to have much to do with me.

They sat for a few minutes talking about Barry and her work and how things were going otherwise. She seemed to calm down a bit and relax. She stood up to go and they all stood along with her. Jan walked her to the door and whispered something to which she smiled. Then she went out the door to her car and left.

Well how about that. Randy lying to his woman. Not a good way to start a relationship. I wonder who else he’s lying to. Said Jack.

I want to know who he hit. Said Jan.

Uh, that would be me. Carol said holding up her hand.

He got ticked off about something I did and hauled off and hit me in the face. I took a step back and straight leg kicked him right in the groin. Let’s just say he didn’t do that again.

Jan was laughing so hard she had to go pee. Jack chuckled at both of them.

I wish I knew when he was here. I would have tried to talk to him. I really hate this family division. We shouldn’t be like this. Grandpa and Grandma raised our parents better than that and they should have raised us better.

You want to know when he’s here?

Yeah. Why?

Carol took out her phone and started searching through her apps. When she stopped she turned the phone toward Jack to show him the app. It was a phone tracker app.

What’s that do?

Tracks people through their phone. I borrowed Randy’s one time and set it up so I could track him. And sometimes Mom.

How can you track Mom?

If I see where Randy is and its someplace Mom likes to go I’m sure that she’s with him. And I’ve been 100% right on that. Like right now Randy is in the mall in Tysons Corner. He hates that mall. But what he hates more is going there with Mom. So, if you wanted to, let’s say speak to Dad, now would be a good time for that. Mom’s not home.

Are you saying I should call Dad? That he’ll talk to me?

Jack what I’m saying is that you have to give it a try. You’ll never know how he feels if you don’t try. When the Iron Maiden is around he pretty much shuts up. Especially about you. He doesn’t want to anger her or he’ll be sleeping on the couch.

Tell him to buy a recliner. It’s more comfortable.

Jan’s eyes bugged out and she had a look of incredulity. I can’t believe you just called your mother that.

Well it’s not like I call her that to her face. Besides I know Jack won’t tell her. Will you big brother?

No I won’t tell her but stop calling her that. You may not like everything she does but she is our mother. Show some respect.

Ok, sorry. So are you gonna call Dad?

Jack looked over at Jan who nodded. Yeah, I will.

He pulled out his phone and dialed his father’s number. It