The Winter Will

We drove up the snowy, winding road towards the cozy A-frame cabin.

They were told to keep the location secret and not to go around town blabbin’…

It is a secluded property one trip member had in the family a long time…

So luxurious one said:”It wasn’t just a pretty penny calling it a beautiful dime”.

The entire group laughed, at the play on word and phrase as the vehicle got more near.

The crunching and sloshing of the vehicle’s tires the only other sound they all could hear.

It was a mandatory meeting and not just a leisure retreat.

With a bunch of others many of them never wanted to see again or even meet.

They’d each gotten an invitation that just mysteriously said:

They needed to go or they’d later wish they were dead!

Another thing that made each one attend an invitation so ominous and oddly funny,

Is it eluded to the opportunity to inherit a great deal of money!

Who each of them is or was isn’t critical information.

The attendees represented every age, race, sex, and social station.

Some thought it might just be an elaborate media stunt.

They even said that’s what they thought as the vehicle stopped in front.

The driver went to the vehicle where their baggage was all stacked.

Then rushed the suitcases inside to speed up how long it would take to get unpacked.

The driver looked at them sadly as if suddenly bereft.

Then practically ran out! That’s how quickly he left.

A passenger warned the driver to slow down as it was icy and they could slip.

However, the driver left so quickly they didn’t even have the time to tip!

Each chose a room then put the baggage inside.

Then took the time to rest after such a long ride.

In each room each invitee found a personalized letter.

Among other things it assured them their lives would get better.

Some who’d been skeptical and even quite rude.

After reading it became a bit more cheery the letter improved their mood.

Then they’d heard another vehicle pull up outside with the same snow sloshing and crunch.

As per the letter they were expecting an attorney and accountant who’d be addressing the bunch.

They quickly let him in and they all sat at a very large table.

They both said they wanted to explain quickly then leave as soon as possibly able.

The attorney started a presentation with the photograph of someone they all knew.

Some immediately said they barely knew or remembered it and don’t know what they’d be due!

They lawyer went on to explain more and some started screaming.

Others looked sad but optimistic with dollar signs in their eyes beaming.

Something none of them apparently knew as the lawyer said.

Is that what was their new benefactor was actually both rich and dead.

Some expressed great sorrow asking why they hadn’t previously known.

They were told that the deceased had chosen to discreetly die alone.

They then were offered more money than they’d ever had in their life.

Most had never known anything but financial strife.

To receive the funds there was just one simple thing they ALL had to do.

Read one more letter during and after a dinner they would share together too.

As they each read the letter they remembered an experience they had.

Often when they helped the beneficiary when life had become very bad.

It was a gift they were left to alleviate financial strife.

The letter ended with “we never really know how much we affect another’s life”