Chapter 2

January, 2024

“Did I tell you I got another thanks but no thanks letter from my latest job application?” Ashley called out from the kitchen area. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee reached Mike’s nostrils.

“Be grateful you have some work.”

She snorted. “Stuffing letters into envelopes and leaflets into mailboxes is not my idea of work, but at least it keeps the wolf from the door. Except I can still hear him. He’s been sniffing around a lot lately. I think he’s getting hungry.” She walked into the living area, two cups in her hands. “You know what really burns me? All these marketing jobs I apply for, I see the stuff these companies put out, and it’s total crap. I could do way better than their pathetic efforts.”

“You haven’t said as much in an application or an interview, have you? Because that might account for the lack of success,” he teased.

Ashley flopped onto the couch beside him. “Gee, why didn’t I think of that?” She stared into her cup. “You know, it all seemed so simple back in college. Study. Get a degree. Get a job. A career. I did the first two steps— and worked my ass off, thank you very much—so why does the next step keep eluding me?” She scowled. “I should’ve done what Penny Greene did, and found myself a rich man to keep me in furs, dripping with diamonds, and take me on a cruise four times a year.”

Mike chuckled. “And that’s all she was good for, remember? She had the personality of lint, no sense of humor, but she had—”

“Big tits,” Ashley interjected gloomily. She put down her cup and grabbed her chest. “Maybe that’s where I’ve been going wrong. Maybe if I get myself a bit more cleavage, and—”

“Ash.” Mike leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “You are perfect just the way you are. And one day, someone is going to realize what an asset you’d be to their company, and hire you in a heartbeat.”

She smiled. “And this is why you’re my best friend. You’re up to your eyeballs in shit, but you still find time to try and raise my spirits.”

“You and me against the world, right?”

It had been like that since they were in college. They’d remained friends, and when it turned out both of them were struggling financially, Mike had suggested they share an apartment. So far it had worked out pretty well. There had only been that one time when either Mike had forgotten to use their signal system, or Ashley had forgotten to check her messages. She’d come home unexpectedly, and learned more about gay sex than she’d ever wanted to.

After that, there were no more slip-ups.

Mike picked up the pile of envelopes he’d collected from the mailbox in the lobby, and sifted through them, his heart sinking with every glance. “Bill. Another bill. Stuff for recycling.” He paused at the long white envelope marked Jasper Hopkins - Attorney at Law. “Uh-oh.”

“What’s that?” Ashley peered at the envelope. “Jasper Hopkins? Now there’s a name. He could’ve been a passenger on the Mayflower with a name like that.”

Mike opened it, unfolded the heavy sheet of paper, and scanned it. The breath caught in his throat. “Oh my God.”

“Mike?”

He dropped the letter into his lap. “Remember I told you my uncle had died?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, this is from his lawyer. Apparently I’m a beneficiary in Uncle Nick’s will.”

“Oh wow. What did he leave you?”

He chuckled. “It doesn’t say, just that I’m to call this Jasper Hopkins at my earliest convenience.”

“No time like the present.” Ashley picked up his phone from the coffee table and thrust it into his hand.

“I don’t know why you’re so eager to learn what he left me. It could be a clock, or a painting, or something like that.”

“And if it has no sentimental value, it can be sold.” Ashley speared him with a look. “Every little helps, right?”

She had a point.

Mike peered at the address of the law firm. “He’s based in Provincetown.”

“You ever been there?”

He shook his head. “I’ve heard about it, though. It’s right at the tip of Cape Cod.” Mike smirked. “And considering what I know about it, maybe I should have visited it before now.”

“Why? What kind of place is it?” Before Mike could answer, Ashley grabbed her phone and typed. Her eyes widened. “ P-town is known as a longtime haven for artists, lesbians and gay men. ” She grinned. “And you’ve never been there? Gasp. You’d better hand in your gay card.” Then she stilled. “Did your uncle live there?”

“I have no idea.”

There was only one way to find out.

Mike dialed the number, and a female voice answered after two rings. “Jasper Hopkins’s office. How can I help you?”

Mike relayed the contents of the letter.

“One moment, Mr. O’Neill. Putting you through to Mr. Hopkins now.”

He waited, his heartbeat quickening.

Why me? Uncle Nick hardly saw me after he left Boston.

“Mr. O’Neill? Thank you for calling.” The measured, crisp voice spoke of age. “Forgive me for asking, but did you know your uncle had passed on?”

“My parents told me at Christmas.”

“My condolences. I was your uncle’s lawyer for the last eleven years, and I count myself lucky to have been one of his closest friends. He spoke of you many times.”

“He did?”

“Indeed. I am also the executor of your uncle’s estate. Now, there are a few beneficiaries, but at the moment I am not at liberty to tell you what your uncle left you. The will is still going through Probate.”

“I see. How long could that take?”

Mr. Hopkins gave a dry chuckle. “How long is a piece of string? The process can take as little as nine months, or as long as ten years. But in this case, I feel we could be looking at anything from three months to possibly nine, maybe a little longer. Once an estate inventory and appraisal has taken place, and creditors have been paid, along with taxes, then assets will be distributed. And at that time, I will be in contact with you again.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hopkins.” He paused. “Did… did he suffer at the end?” His heart gave a pang.

“It was very quick. And unexpected, as he’d had no trouble of that kind. His passing left a hole in our community.”

Mike didn’t miss the sadness that tinged his voice.

“So he lived in Provincetown? Sorry for asking, but he would never give me his address.”

“I know. I also know it was your father’s stipulation that you be given no such information. And to answer your question, your uncle moved to Provincetown in 2012.” There was a pause. “Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

Mike sighed. “I have so many questions, but I guess they can keep. I look forward to hearing from you in due course. Thank you again, Mr. Hopkins.”

“You’re welcome.” He hung up.

Ashley stared at him. “Well?”

“I still don’t know what he left me, and it looks as if I won’t know for a while.”

She gaped. “How can you sit there so calmly? He could have left you a fortune.”

“I doubt it. And I’m calm because right now, there’s nothing to get excited about. All I can do is to sit back and wait for the process to reach its end.”

He couldn’t deny he had hopes, however. Please, don’t let it be years before this is all finished.

A little nest egg would come in handy.

Especially with that wolf prowling around outside, waiting to pounce.

Except if it came to a choice between his uncle or some inheritance, Mike knew which one he’d choose.

All that time I lost out on that I could have spent with him. And now it’s too late.