Dr. Richard Mason sat alone in the darkened living room
of his one-level one-bedroom ranch with a certified
letter in one hand and a double-shot of J&B Scotch in the
other, a Royal Jamaican Corona cigar burning nicely in
the ashtray next to him. When he found the note asking
him to pick up the letter at the Willington, VT Post
Office he thought he was going to find that someone filed
suit against him...again. Taking a puff off the cigar, he
opened the letter in one swift stroke of his deft hand.
Usually he liked his news the same way he liked his
scotch; straight up, bold, and never watered down.
Tonight was a different story. Tonight his entire
identity changed in just four short paragraphs.
July 2nd
Dear Dr. Mason:
I am writing with regard to the passing Judge James Rice
III (your father) who departed this Earth on June 30th.
While we realize this news may come as somewhat of a
shock to you we hope you will accept our deepest
condolences on your loss.
In accordance with Judge Rice's Last Will and Testament,
you have been awarded Temporary Conservatorship of your
sister, Johannah Morgan Rice by the Michigan Probate
Court. Additionally, the Court temporarily installed you
as the Administrator of the Johanna Morgan Rice Trust
Fund. As of this writing, said trust fund has a value of
3.5 million dollars. Full copies of these documents,
along with an inventory of Miss Rice's current assets,
are enclosed with this letter.
Unfortunately, time is of the essence in this matter as
the group home where Hannah currently resides is closing
its doors on September 1st. This only gives us two scant
months in which to find Miss Rice another suitable living
arrangement. In accordance with the Trust Fund for the
Benefit of Johannah Morgan Rice, (copy enclosed) your
sister must be moved to a group home that is close to
you. We have researched such homes in your area and have
enclosed their pertinent information for your review.
Also enclosed you will find a certified copy of the Last
Will and Testament of James Rice III along with a copy of
the Terms and Conditions of the Trust Fund for the
Benefit of Johanna Morgan Rice. After going over said
enclosures with your own attorney, please respond to this
letter as soon as possible so that we may arrange to have
Hannah moved to Vermont.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any and all
questions you may have. I understand this entire process
is very new to you and I wish to be of service in any way
that I can.
Sincerely yours,
Christopher Lawrence, Esq.
"What the hell? My father was Edwin Mason, the blessedly
late Edwin Mason," he grumbled reading the letter again
and again until all of the words ran together before his
confounded eyes.
Tossing the amber liquid down the back of his throat
Mason let the letter slip from his fingers to the hard
wood floor at his bare feet. The Last Will and Testament
of James Rice III came into his view. Sucking down the
last few drops in the glass, he took several puffs off
the expensive cigar before pouring another glass.
Confused and confounded, he thumbed through the will
until he got to
Article V: Johannah Morgan Rice.
As to the welfare of my daughter, Johannah Morgan Rice,
deemed incapable to handle her personal and financial
affairs by the Good Court of the State Michigan and
residing in a Michigan State run group home. I hereby
install my son, born James Rice IV but now known as the
Honorable Doctor Richard Mason, and my only capable heir
as the sole Guardian of the person and estate of Johannah
Morgan Rice. I do hereby designate Doctor Richard Mason
to be the sole Trustee of The Trust Fund for the Benefit
of Johanna Morgan Rice previously established by my late
wife, Adelaide Morgan Rice. Doctor Richard Mason, in his
duties as Trustee, shall be bound by all terms,
conditions, and adherences of the Trust a full copy of
which shall be provided to him with a certified copy of
this my Last Will and Testament.
Should James Rice IV a/k/a Doctor Richard Mason refuse
these responsibilities I direct that someone from the
State of Michigan Department of Developmental Services be
appointed Guardian and Trustee to serve under the same
terms and conditions as noted within said Trust.
Even as the will fell from his numb fingers he thought it
had to be a joke or a mistake. Yet deep in his soul,
Mason knew it was not. Still, he had to admit this was
one hell of a way to find out he was adopted or the
bastard child of The Honorable-or the Not-Quite-So-
Honorable-Judge James Rice III a man he barely
remembered.
In that instant, Richard Mason's entire world shattered
so completely he swore he heard it break like a fine
china plate hitting a cement floor.
© 2003-2026