The bakery - A short story - Chapter 2

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Jenny totally overslept. She was so used to the noise in the city and the traffic starting early that she was no longer used to the peace and quiet in town. When she realized the lawyer was nearly on his way she jumped up to take a quick shower and she was ready in no time. She was just about to take her first sip of coffee when the doorbell rang.  John the lawyer was a dear friend of her grandmother's and Jenny always secretly hoped that they would get married so her grandmother was not so alone, but her grandmother was adamant and never remarried.  

She opened the door and was surprised to see a young man standing there. 

"This is unexpected.  Can I help you?" she asked forcing herself to smile. 

"I assume you are Jenny.  I am Richard Henning and I work as an apprentice at my uncle's firm.  Would you mind if I came in?"

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't expect you.... I was expecting John." 

Richard smiled and walked inside. "I think my uncle sent me with a purpose." 

Jenny smiled and instantly felt attracted to Richard.  She checked his finger and saw no ring, so she assumed he was not married. 

"Would you like some coffee?"

"Oh that would be wonderful."

Jenny took out a plate of cookies and made some coffee.  She put everything on the kitchen table and asked him to sit down. 

Jenny loved sitting at this table.  She had spent many hours in this kitchen with her grandmother and it was her favorite place in the world.  Here she spent hours baking cookies and biscuits and this is where her love for baking started. 

Richard was very impressed with the cookies and he ate more than he should.  They were on their second cup of coffee when he finally took out the envelope with the will.  Her mood suddenly changed and she felt sad by the finality which this will bring to her life.  Her grandmother was no longer here, and within minutes the tears were streaming down her face.  

Richard handed her his handkerchief and she dried her face before blowing her nose.  She wanted to hand it back to him when she felt better but realized that it was gross.  He smiled and told her to keep it, and then took out the will.  

There was also a letter from her grandmother that she would read later but now she just wanted to handle the will.  

Richard went through all the formalities and then came to the important part.  

To my granddaughter Jenny Olivia Johnson I leave my house and all my belongings.  I also leave her the sum of two million dollars.  A sum of one million dollars are to be put in a trust and the other half she can use for living expenses. The only condition to receive the sum of one million dollars is that the house needs to stay in the family and the never be sold. 

By the time Richard finished reading Jenny's mouth hung open.  She had no idea her grandmother had any money and it was frightening to know that she had so much of it. 

"What in the world am I going to do with all this money?"

Richard smiled.  "Perhaps she will explain in the letter."

Jenny nodded and without thinking invited Richard over for dinner that evening. She didn't feel like cooking for herself only and he gladly accepted.  

He was gone in a minute and Jenny took a seat at the table after pouring her third cup of coffee.  She carefully opened the envelope and started reading. 

-To be continued-