All That Matters

Hailey stared at the clouds gathering outside the conference room window. Thunder rolled in the distance. A storm was upon them.

“How’s Toby?” Crystal asked, trying to break the tension.

Hailey’s stare remained fixed on the trees swaying in the wind. “He’s fine.”

“Thanks for keeping him. I miss him.”

Hailey’s brown eyes turned to Crystal in a cold gaze. She grunted and returned her focus out of the window.

The lawyer rushed in the room, his hands filled with folders. Two assistants followed, one sitting beside Hailey and one sitting beside Crystal. “I apologize for my tardiness,” he said, dropping in the chair at the head of the table. He checked his watch. “You’d think that at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon I’d be ready on time, but there’s always that one little thing.”

Hailey cleared her throat. “Can we proceed?”

“Yes,” the lawyer said, pulling papers from a file folder. “These are the documents agreeing to the amendments to the Last Will and
Testament of Miss Mildred Russell. He distributed the papers to Hailey and Crystal. “I E-mailed you both a copy of the documents yesterday. As I mentioned, it’s a straight exchange. Hailey relinquishes the three carat emerald ring to Crystal. Crystal relinquishes the parrot to Hailey. Hailey, are these terms agreeable?”

Hailey scanned over the documents and laid them on the table. “Yes.”

“Crystal,” the lawyer said, “are these terms agreeable?”

“Yes,” Crystal said triumphantly.

The lawyer laid the original documents and two pens on the table. “Hailey, please sign on the pink highlighted lines.”

Hailey signed the documents and slid them toward the lawyer. He picked them up. “Crystal, please sign the yellow highlighted lines.”

Crystal flipped through the pages and signed them quickly.

The lawyer took the pages and signed several pages, then passed them to his assistants. Both signed the documents, sealed them with red notary seals, and passed them to the lawyer. He picked up the document, looked over it, and nodded. The assistants left the room. One returned holding a small box which she handed to Crystal. She opened the box and slid the large emerald ring on her finger, smiling. “It’s beautiful.”

The other assistant returned lugging a large cage with a green and yellow bird. The bird perked up and squawked as Hailey rose to take the cage. Hailey smiled. “Hi Toby, I’m your Mommy now.”

“That’s it, ladies,” the lawyer said, standing. “I’ll turn this in at the courthouse and send you a copy of the executed agreement next week. Enjoy your inheritance.”

Toby made a cackling noise as they left the room.

“Hailey, wait,” Crystal said, grabbing Hailey’s arm.

Hailey turned. “What?”

Crystal looked down at the ring. “Thanks.”

Hailey snorted. “Yea, thanks.”

Crystal sighed and stared out the door at the dark afternoon. “I’m sorry it had to end this way.”

“Me too,” Hailey said, “but when all you’ve got is yourself then I suppose that’s all that matters.” She walked out the door with the birdcage, never looking back.

Crystal stared after Hailey, her eyes filling with tears as the rain pelted the asphalt in the parking lot. She knew that was the last time she would ever talk to the cousin that was like a sister to her growing up.

The lawyer walked behind her. “That went well.”

Crystal stared at the ring and nodded. Yes, the storm had passed and she got what she wanted. She just didn’t understand why she was so sad if getting her way was what truly mattered.


Word Count: 589