Between the Lanterns(16)

“I see,” Samantha said, trying to keep up.

Lee went on, saying, “Anyway, once I met with Mr. Hill he told me that he had no family and no friends… except for you and a young man named August. He didn’t know your last names, he just said you two, and I quote, ‘were the two nicest people I’ve met in many a year.’ Mr. Hill then told me that he was the husband of one Cheryl Hill, owner of this diner. Now, this diner, along with her home, was left to Mr. Hill in her will once she passed away. As you are probably aware, she gave full management over to Tara White and yourself.”

Sam was reeling with all of this information… Cheryl left the diner to John? She died years ago, though. He said that he just found out about her death right before he came to the diner.

“Mr. Parr, how was John the owner?” she asked. “It was my understanding that me and Tara ran the place, and kept the profits. Cheryl said that the diner was now state-owned because she owed too much Credit on it.”

“Well, Miss Vann, she lied to you,” Lee answered. “This diner has been owned by John Hill since Cheryl Hill passed away.”

“But what about the Credit that gets automatically taken out every month? Where does that go? I thought it was paying off her debt, and that when it was all gone we’d inherit the diner. That’s what she told us, Mr. Parr,” Samantha said, still trying to understand.

“Well, once again she lied to you, Miss Vann. Once Mr. Hill told me his story, I verified it all with the local government and everything checks out. He never wanted the Credit or the diner, as he said it would only break his heart even more. So the Credit every month went to charity. Research for a Countdown Cure, I believe. He knew of Cheryl’s death because he had to come down and sign all the paperwork when she died. He informed me that he was here to meet you. He said that before she died, Cheryl wrote him and told him about you and how you were the daughter that they never had,” Lee explained. “She wanted John to take care of you with the Credit from the diner. He said that it took this long to come here and meet you because he ‘was too damn scared,’: in his words, mind you.”

Samantha needed a drink. Cheryl sent John a letter about her? And he had waited until just now to come and see everything… it all just seemed too strange for Samantha to comprehend.

“I’m following you sweets, but I’m starting to feel sick,” Samantha said. “I don’t know how many more surprises I can take.”

“Well, here it all is laid out for you,” Lee replied. “John wanted to meet you so he could give you the diner and Cheryl’s house. He met you, was very pleased with how pleasant you were and was ready to sign everything over to you. Then an AutoCar struck him on West Main Street. Very unfortunate. So, I was called in, and the papers were signed. All you have to do is fill out these few forms, sign on the dotted lines, and the house and diner are yours. The payments will cease going to Countdown Cure research and go to you. That’s as simple as I can make it.”

“I think I’m going to faint,” was Samantha’s only response.

She grabbed the dirty cloth, recently used for wiping tables, and held it up to her forehead. Now was not the time to worry about some bits of food getting on her face. It was cold and wet, and that was exactly what she needed.

“Ok, Mr. Parr. I think… I think that I understand it all, I just can’t believe it. You go ahead, tell me what to sign, and I’ll do it,” Samantha said. Looking up at the heavens and shaking her head, she added under her breath, “Cheryl, you are a sneaky old bat, but thank you, both you and John, for what y’all did for me. I love you.”

Lee looked at Samantha like she had gone crazy. People didn’t openly talk to the dead in Heaven anymore. Most people didn’t even believe in that kind of stuff, but if they did they just kept it to themselves. He felt that this lady was obviously a bit wacko.

“Ok, madam. Just sign here and here, then fill out this portion,” Lee told her.

Samantha did as instructed, and just like that she was the owner of a diner and a home. She hadn’t been to Cheryl’s place since she passed. Samantha loved that house. It was a three bedroom ranch over near Westgate Park:; a beautiful place, and much nicer than her small apartment. But living there would mean that she and August wouldn’t live close by each other anymore, though.

“Ok, Mr. Parr, all done,” Samantha said. “Is there anything else I need to do? Where do I get the keys to the house and what not?”

“Well, I have the keys here. The final, formal deeds for the house and the diner will arrive in the next few days. But other than that, it’s official. You are the owner of both as of this moment. Congratulations, Miss Vann,” Lee said.

The possibilities opened up before her. Samantha thought of all that extra Credit she would receive, and thought of how much Credit she would save not having to buy a house. She was sincerely excited about all of it.

“I am also here on a different matter, Miss Vann,” Lee added. “As I said, I work for the state, and there is a new law that just passed last week. It’s part of my duties to visit all restaurants in town and let them know of this new law and make sure of their compliance. Due to an agreement with Montek, the government is now requiring all restaurants to have at least one Nutricator on the premises, so that everyone can choose to have the items on the menu cooked or created by a Nutricator.”