“Stipulation…” Shea repeated softly.
Jason chugged the rest of his drink down.
“I’m gonna need more than what you have in this house for this.”
“Just let it out Jason.”
Kayla couldn’t hold it in. The suspense had her wrapped tight. Although this wasn’t affecting her, she just didn’t think all of this would be happening at one time.
“He’s laid out certain things that should happen, in time frames, or …”
He paused.
“Or….”
Kayla rolled her eyes.
“Kayla!” Shea yelled.
Jason reread the papers, ensuring he understood exactly what was laid out.
“Jason, I love you, but you’re going to give me a hernia if you keep sitting there silent.”
Shea was on edge.
Jason looked up and made eye contact with Shea. She was nervous, but so was he. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
“Oh… my….. God.”
Jason’s hands trembled slightly as he tried to break their gaze.
“Ahem.” He cleared his throat.
Kayla knew if Jason was shedding tears, this was serious.
“What is it Jason!” Shea yelled.
Kayla grabbed her friend’s hand. In this moment, there were no witty remarks, there was no comical banter, she knew this was about to sting.
Jason sighed.
“Shea, there’s stipulating clauses built in the will.”
“Clauses… like multiple… plural?!”
Kayla asked.
Shea squeezes her hand. “Shh!”
“Yes, it is accurate that he left the bulk of his estate to you, including the building that houses the studio, the apartment above it, the land and house that his home sits on, and all monetary assets. However…”
He paused.
“Matter of fact here’s how the verbiage reads.”
ARTICLE VII — CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO DISTRIBUTION
Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, the distribution of any monetary assets, real property, business interests, or tangible holdings designated to my granddaughter, Shea Johnson, shall remain expressly contingent upon the full satisfaction of the following conditions:
A. Marriage Requirement
Shea Johnson shall enter into a lawful and legally recognized marriage prior to attaining the age of thirty (30) years, or within one (1) calendar year following the date of my death, whichever shall first occur.
B. Duration Requirement
Said marriage must remain continuous, valid, and legally intact for a minimum period of one (1) full calendar year following the date of marriage. Any annulment, dissolution, legal separation, petition for divorce, or other legal termination occurring within that one-year period shall constitute a failure to satisfy this condition.
C. Continuation of Business Operations
Shea Johnson shall maintain continuous ownership, management, and operation of the business known as “Captured Moments by Shea,” including its associated studio property and business activities, for a period not less than one (1) year following my death. Said business shall not be abandoned, dissolved, sold, transferred, or materially altered during this required period.
D. Prohibition Against Circumvention
Any attempt, whether direct or indirect, to circumvent, manipulate, frustrate, or otherwise evade the intent and enforcement of the conditions set forth herein shall constitute an immediate and material breach of this Will and shall result in automatic forfeiture of all interests, claims, and entitlements otherwise granted under this instrument.
E. Restriction Regarding Shannon M. Johnson
Under no circumstances shall any monetary assets, inherited funds, real property interests, business interests, or tangible assets received pursuant to this Will be transferred, gifted, assigned, conveyed, pledged, or otherwise distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to my daughter, Shannon M. Johnson.
Any violation of this provision, including attempts to conceal, reroute, shield, or indirectly benefit Shannon M. Johnson through third parties, trusts, partnerships, or other arrangements, shall result in immediate forfeiture of all affected assets and inheritance rights otherwise granted herein.
Upon such forfeiture, all forfeited assets shall immediately vest in and be transferred to the City of Kleinville, to be used, managed, liquidated, retained, or distributed at the sole discretion of said municipality and its authorized representatives.
Upon full satisfaction of all foregoing conditions and restrictions, the Trustee shall authorize release and transfer of the remaining estate assets to Shea Johnson in accordance with the provisions of this Will.
“Now Jason, give it to us straight, because who the hell trying to decipher what all that means.” Kayla snapped.
Jason laughed.
Shea was silent. Eyes forward, tears welling.
“Shea?”
Kayla called to her. Shea didn’t move.
“Breathe Shea.” Jason said.
“I can’t… I can… can’t believe this.”
Shea stuttered in a mumble. Her chest tightened, her breathing became short. She grabbed at her chest, then began fanning in a panic. Short gasps were all she could get out.
“Shit! Breathe Shea!” Kayla yelled.
“I’m getting water!” Jason said while running to the kitchen.
“Slow breathing Shea, inhale with me.”
Kayla guided Shea into a normal breathing rhythm, breath by breath, hand in hand, both shedding tears.
“Here sip this slowly.” Jason handed the glass to Shea.
Trembling hands reached for the glass, but Kayla intercepted gently. Holding the glass to her friend’s mouth, tilting it carefully, ensuring she made it through this moment.
“I need you to continue breathing Shea.” Kayla whispered.
“Tha…Than.. thank you.” Shea slowly regained her composure.
“You good?” Jason asked.
“Yeah, I just need a minute.”
She got up and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
“What the hell!” Kayla whispered to Jason.
“Yeah this is intense.”
“What does all that mean Jason?”
“Being that pop Johnson passed away 6 months ago, she has 6 months left to get married. She has to keep her business open for the next year, she can’t give shit to her mother or everything goes to the city.”
Jason explained quietly.
“Damn!” Kayla shook her head. “I wonder…”
The bathroom door opened and both Jason and Kayla’s eyes went to Shea.
Xavièr tapped the message, began typing, then backed out. He knew responding to that message would be allowing room for more than what he cared to deal with at this particular time of his life.
Just before he placed the phone down, another message came through. He sighed.
Unknown: I know you’re upset with me but please talk to me.
Xavièr made a mental note to talk to Lux about changing his number and how that would play out with everything on the table right now.
He stepped into his home gym. “Alexa, play workout music.”
🎶 Started from the bottom, now we here..🎶
The music blared through the speakers. He knew he should get some sleep, but he needed to work out his nerves. He lifted weights until his shoulders couldn’t bear another rep.
He went into his bathroom and turned the shower on. He looked at his phone and realized it was 2 am. “Damn, tomorrow’s going to be rough,” he thought to himself. He showered quickly and got into the bed after drying off.
The phone chimed.
Lux: GOOD NEWS! Call me first thing in the morning.
Now he wouldn’t be able to sleep, he lay in the dark, eyes fixated on the ceiling. Everything seemed to be aligning for him, almost too well. He dozed off.
Shea walked out of the bathroom eyeing her friends as they watch her every step.
“Whatever you’re thinking of saying Kayla, don’t say it.”
Kayla’s jaw dropped. “I wasn’t even prepared to say anything… this time.”
Jason fake coughed.
“I mean… I do have questions though.” Kayla said.
“I just told you..”
“It can wait boo, no pressure.”
Shea looked at her and rolled her eyes.
“Jason, I can’t see me marrying someone just for money!”
“Well, how much money we talking?” Kayla asked.
Jason threw a pillow at her.
“Y’all and these damn pillows.”
“You just…” Jason stopped.
“Yeah yeah yeah, I’ll be quiet.”
Shea’s eyes began to close, tears streaming. “This is too much.”
“I agree.” Jason said.
Shea hung her head, sobbing beneath emotional weight she didn’t know how to carry anymore. She gripped the countertop and screamed.
“AHHHHHHH!!!”
The echoes in the house carried that scream for what felt like minutes.
Jason looked at Kayla. Kayla looked at Jason.
The silence spoke volumes between them. It was the perfect language.
~ Kae
PS : 🖤 The Bleed Room got the intro before the world saw the chapter.
Kae Jaye The Writer 