All of us were summoned to the lawyer's office the day after the funeral.

The elderly man with the thick glasses, a full head of silver hair and beard discussed my grandmother's will.

Nobody knew anything about a will or the fact that Grandma Lucy had money saved up.

The only property we knew she had was the acreage.

Everyone in that small office was teary eyed while the lawyer discussed the provisions.

Sitting there and listening to him rattled off about what she owed and what was left made everything real.

The acreage was left under Chuck's name with the condition that he cannot sell it or the house without everyone's approval.

He was very pleased.

Among us, he was the one who helped Grandma manage the acreage.

My uncle, James, did not look happy but there was nothing he could do.

Besides, he left Saskatoon the same age I did.

During the time I stayed with Grandma Lucy, I don't remember him ever visiting or calling.

I was not expecting anything really.

Grandma Lucy gave me a home and safe place to stay.

When the lawyer gave out the envelopes, I thought it was just for them.

I was surprised when he came over and gave me one.

Everyone at the table looked at me.

The kindly lawyer smiled, nodded at me and went back to his seat.

I stared at the envelope.

It felt warm against my shaking hands.

I didn't open it at once.

Whatever was in there could wait.

Everyone at the table looked at me especially Uncle James.

They were probably surprised too.

Jack and I left two days later.

This time, our goodbyes were bittersweet.

It won't be the same without Grandma Lucy.

While Chuck drove away, I looked back at the house with a heavy heart.

I thought I saw my grandmother standing in the front yard with everyone.

On her shoulders was her favorite brown and red woolen scarf.

She waved, smiled one last time and then disappeared.

The vision made me tear up.

I slept during the one-hour flight back to Calgary.

My mind was on autopilot and I let Jack take care of everything.

I still couldn't believe that my grandmother is gone forever.

Everytime I think of that, my emotions bubble up and I just start crying.

Despite the tumult in my heart and mind, I noticed that Jack seemed lost in his own thoughts.

He was also distant.

We didn't have a lot of time to talk after the funeral because of the meeting with the lawyer.

I was glad my grandmother had her business in place because before the meeting, Uncle James was talking with his siblings about what to do with the acreage and all her possessions.

They didn't even mention my mother.

Maybe to them, she was also dead.

My cousins and I were in the same room while Uncle James ranted on and on about what to do with Grandma's stuff.

We just looked at each other.

I saw fear in Chuck, Annie and Lewis' eyes.

If the house gets sold, my cousins have to find a new place to stay.

Uncle James was so eager to sell the place that I felt angry just listening to him.

But I didn't say anything.

No one did.

We were all exhausted and reeling from everything that happened.

Once we were back in Calgary, I told Jack I would like to rest.

He only nodded.

"Are you okay?" I held his arm, wondering why he was so quiet.

"I'm fine. Just tired." He smiled but I felt that something was bothering him.

But didn't have the energy to ask.

I kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome."

I went to the bedroom and slept for the next three days.

What awakened me was the sound of metal banging against glass.

There was a brisk mixing movement as if someone was beating something.

The curtains were drawn and the bedroom was dark so I slowly got up and felt for my slippers under the bed.

My head was throbbing and my mouth was very dry.

I don't remember eating or drinking.

If Jack even woke me up, I don't have a recollection of it.

I opened the door and saw him in the kitchen.

He was cooking.

I thought I was still in bed dreaming.

Jack does not cook.

It was not because he was afraid of fire or getting burned.

He doesn't know how.

His father did the cooking and he said he did not bother to learn.

I glanced at the table and saw that his laptop was on.

He was watching a cooking channel on YouTube.

Jack looked up when he heard the soft footsteps coming towards him.

"Hey."

"Did I wake you?" He placed the dirty glass bowl on the sink.

"No. I think it's time I face the world again."

"There's no rush, Des. Take all the time you need."

I pulled a chair and sat facing him.

There was a bowl of thinly sliced green onions on the kitchen counter.

"What are you making?"

"An omelet." He took the bowl of green onions and spread it on top of the egg.

The strong aroma was enticing.

"I thought I was dreaming when I saw you in the kitchen."

Jack laughed.

I missed hearing the hearty sound of it.

"I'm being ambitious. But I don't want you to starve so I did it. I know how to follow instructions so I figured why not give cooking a shot?" He turned off the stove and grabbed a plate from the cupboard.

"Was I asleep the whole time?"

"Yes." He lifted the pan and carefully transferred the omelet on the plate.

Jack placed the food on the table and then took out a bowl of grated Parmesan cheese from the fridge.

"I don't know if you like it added to the omelet so I didn't put it in."

He was about to turn around but I grab his hand.

"Thank you." I looked up and once again saw that behind his smile lurked a loneliness I couldn't quite place.

It bothered me and I was about to ask him if everything was okay but he pulled his hand away.

"Are you hungry?" He forced a smile.

"Yes."

"Alright. Just stay where you are."

"I can help."

"I got this."

He went back to the kitchen to get the plates and utensils.

"Now, be gentle with your critique okay?" He said as soon as we were seated.

"This is the very first time I made something like this. Let me down easy."

"The omelet smells delicious." I pierced a quarter of it with my fork.

Jack was looking at me intently.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"I will. I want you to try it first."

"Okay." I took a generous bite, let out a long exhale and then dramatically dropped my shoulders.

Jack frowned.

"Oh no." He said, disappointed.

I waited a few seconds before smiling.

"I'm kidding. This is delicious."

"Thank God. I thought I failed my first attempt. I didn't add salt. That's where the cheese comes in." He gave me the bowl.

"This is great for your first try." I squeezed his hand.

"I am so glad to hear that." He wiped the imaginary sweat on his forehead.

"By the way, I haven't opened the envelope that the lawyer gave me. Will you do it with me later?"

"Sure." He scooped a heaping tablespoon of cheese and sprinkled it on the omelet.

"What do you think is on there?"

"I don't know. My cousins were bugging me to open the envelope before we left but I didn't want to. Annie was not pleased." I grinned.

Jack suddenly stopped chewing when he heard my cousin's name.

I saw the slight twitch of her lip and found it odd.

Once again, there was this pull to ask why but I held back so I didn't say anything.

After breakfast, I fought hard to do the dishes but he said it could wait.

"Why don't we check out what Grandma Lucy left for you?" He pulled me away from the table.

I went to the bedroom and took the envelope from the still unpacked suitcase.

My mind spun when I saw it followed by the racing beat of my heart.

I was close to hyperventilating so I closed my eyes then took a deep breath to steady myself.

This envelope was another reminder of Grandma's passing.

I was still trying to wrap my head around the idea that she was really gone.

From outside, Jack asked if everything was okay.

I said yes then joined him in the living room.

I sat beside him while he watched me peel the seal.

My hands shook with anticipation and grief.

When I saw what was on there, I couldn't believe what I was looking at.

There were too many zeroes.

Maybe there was a mistake?

Is this cheque really meant for me?

I looked at the name and there was no doubt that it was really mine.

Grandma Lucy left me two things—the lucky card she used to play solitaire and a cheque worth ten grand.