Excerpt of Genesis by Lisa Beth Darling

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.