Chuckling I say, “Sam, you know I really did not knock down the tree, it was hit by lightning I only timed my fingers snap to when it would happen.”
Charles chuckling says, “If it was anyone else I would not believe it either way. What is this about a treasure?”
It takes about an hour to explain everything to Charles and Jane who set there wide-eyed the entire time. At the end of the story, we show them pictures of the original stock certificates, and show them the deposits from AT&T, Exxon, and IBM.
Once recovered from his shock Charles chuckles, “You just let Sam choose who got a share.”
With a smile, I say as I ruffle Sam’s hair, “I thought it would be the fairest way, Sam had the least to gain or lose by choosing. Her choosing also meant fewer arguments from the members of the family. With Grandma Elizabeth and Uncle George to back her up, no one really had an argument. Besides who is really going to complain when they receive one point one billion each after taxes.”
Reese punches Ron in the arm, “You would never let her call you uncle.”
Jane looks at Charles, who raises his hands and says, “Okay I told Sam that I was not her grandpa that is why she had to go live in Oregon with her real grandma.”
Jane looking at Sam says, “Sam, you and Crystal are welcome to call me grandma if you want.”
Charles with a smile says, “I would be honored Princess Sam and Princess Crystal if you called me grandpa, but I really do not need that much money.”
Ron chuckles, “Kathryn and JJ I really want to thank you again for helping Reese and I. If Sam listed me as uncle, I know you would have fought for me to get a share. I do not need money like that too. What you have helped us earned so far is more than enough.”
Reese giggling, “More than I thought I would ever have in my lifetime. I really do not care, the amount of money we have will ensure our family is comfortable, and that is all that really matters. That the children Ron and I have will be able to go to college, start their life without debt is more than good enough for me.”
Charles says, “If your plan is to bring us to where Ron and Reese are I am sure my family will be very comfortable too.”
I tell Charles, “My plan is to show you how to have the life you deserve, you are only job is to learn how to trade, and decide when to stop.”
With a chuckle Mitch asks, “You mean if we do not want to stop until we are billionaires that is fine with you?”
Smiling I say, “You decide when to stop, the only thing I would like to see is you help others while you are doing that. Just like Misty and Marshall are helping Ron, Reese, Charles and you,”
Charles laughing for a moment and then he says, “In other words the greedier we are, the more people we have to help.”
With a chuckle I say, “It is a karma thing, as you do, you receive. It keeps the scales balanced, even though I tried to keep them tipped to the good.”
Charles chuckling, “You sound just like a friend of mine, don’t you agree Ron?”
Ron shaking his head yes before he says, “I would swear the two of you must have been brothers you are so much alike.”
Jane smiles and says, “Maybe that is why Sam loves you so easily, she found the one man exactly like her Angel Daddy.”
Sam looks at me curiously then says, “Daddy you’re a lot like my Angel Daddy, but not exactly. You think of everybody first before you do anything. I am trying to do the same thing every time I do something.”
I scooped Sam up into my arms, and give her a big hug and kiss her cheek in neck causing her to giggle. I do not keep it up long because if I did Sam would make me let her down to go to the bathroom. Setting Sam down, I scooped Crystal up and give her much the same treatment. When I reach for Cindy, she backs away and says, “Uncle JJ you are not getting me like that, I am more ticklish than Sam or Crystal.”
With a mischievous smile I say, “Oh yes I am.” Cindy squeals and turns to run, I chaser not really trying to catch her too quickly, because she is giggling merrily.
Finally, she runs to Daniel and says, “Save me, Daddy Daniel.”
Daniel scooped her up into his arms as naturally as I would Sam or Crystal, Daniel looking at me says, “JJ leave Cindy alone, it is a Daddy’s job to give his daughter kisses, not an uncles to give his niece kisses.” Daniel begins kissing her cheeks and neck as I had done Sam and Crystal. Cindy giggles merrily until Daniel stops. They hold each other, and many of the family have confused looks. It does not take long before everyone makes the connection, and smiles replace the confusion. Kara walks to the two and caresses Cindy’s back, Cindy moves to Kara giving her a warm hug.
Uncle George looks a little unhappy before he says, “You do know her mother is due to be released shortly. Do not get the girl wanting something when it cannot happen.”
Cindy looking at Uncle George says, “I want Daniel to be my Daddy, but I know I have one. If I can have more than one uncle, why cannot Daniel be Daddy Daniel?”
Uncle George not wanting to totally dismissed Cindy’s argument, but he also wants to make sure she understands that her Mom will most likely retain custody. Sadly Uncle George says, “Cindy do not get your hopes up too high, your Mom may or may not allow you to continue seeing Daniel and Kara. I need to have a talk with JJ, Daniel and Kara. Let the children go out into the play house and enjoy some time together.”
It does not take long for the kids to leave, although Cindy is a little hesitant. We watch them for a little while before beginning our discussion. I mute the channel, we can watch the children but they cannot listen to us. Uncle George begins, “In six months Sylvia Conn, Cindy’s mother will be released. You have no right to get that little girl’s hopes up about staying with you. I know Sylvia, and she has made a turnaround since her incarceration. Sylvia is really looking forward to her release, and really wants to be with her daughter. That is her right.”
Daniel begins, “Your honor I am not trying to mislead Cindy in any way. I just… Shit, I love her and I cannot see her crying for the next six months. I am not trying to hurt her, and I do want to be a part of her life from now on.”
George looking at Daniel says, “First this is not a court building. I am with family; you call me George or Uncle George.
After Daniel smiles Uncle George continues, “Daniel I understand, I do not want to see her crying for the next six months too. I was the one to remove her from her previous foster parents, and I know how poorly she was treated. If JJ and Kathryn had not volunteered to be her foster parents, given the connection you have with her I may have put you three together. The only way I see this working, if you work with Sylvia. I know that because of Cindy you will help her. Right now Sylvia is away from all of the temptations that were destroying her life and Cindy’s too. She spent the last two years in confinement, it took her about three months to detox, after that she was a changed person. Her release will not be her total freedom. She will be going on parole for three years. I can arrange for either JJ or you Daniel to be a sponsor. You will have to employ her in some fashion.”
Kara says, “Uncle George could I be her sponsor? She could be my aid. I could send her to the grocery store shopping, or a hundred other little things to help me with around the house.”
Looking at Uncle George I say seriously, “You are aware that Sylvia used Cindy to carry stolen merchandise out of the store she stole it from? That when she fenced this merchandise she bought drugs, not food or clothing for herself or Cindy? I understand that parole is a method to see that the prisoner truly has reformed. I hope that is the case, but I am unwilling to risk Cindy’s well-being until she is had at least a couple months in which she has the opportunity to prove she truly has changed, and not just acting for the parole board.”
Uncle George looking at me says, “It is not your choice. However, I can see your concern, and I do know how protective you are. That is reasonable, given the number of criminals who quickly revert to their previous lifestyles. I do not want to separate Sylvia and Cindy and take away the motivation she would have.”
Daniel makes a novel suggestion, “How about visitation, maintain JJ’s foster parentage for a number of months, while continuing to increase the amount of time Cindy spends with her mother. This would give a transition time for Sylvia and Cindy to a custom themselves to each other. They have been a part for a number of years, and Cindy may not remember that much about her mother and her mother definitely is not the same person if she has changed.”
Kara speaks up, “This would allow me time to work with Sylvia, to befriend her, and still maintain contact with Cindy. JJ definitely has earned Cindy’s trust. I do not believe she has ever mentioned carrying stolen goods to anyone else. If her mother does revert back, JJ may be the only person Cindy would tell.”
Looking at Uncle George I say, “Or more likely Kara and Daniel. Although I do not think, she would ever do anything to bring harm to her mother. If we have the six months with her, we have the opportunity to show Cindy how a loving family behaves, and after the visitation period exposes Sylvia to the family as well. Sometimes examples speak louder than any sermon.”
Uncle George looking at us smiles and says, “You all are determined to protect and help Cindy. You will change Sylvia’s life to do that. You would befriend Sylvia just to visit with Cindy, you feel that deep of a connection already?”
Daniel speaks, “The first time I laid eyes on Cindy, I was drawn to her. I remember a girl much like her from school. I remember how many times her having poor clothing resulted in her receiving teasing. How badly I felt for her, and wishing I could change things. I can do that for Cindy. It is a lot more than just that, I feel like her father, I cannot explain that. I know her own father lost his parental rights. I want to remain a part of her life, as much as I possibly can.”
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