Three Years went by. Hunter was now 3. Jacinda, 27. Dan, 28. Dan Sr. 60.
Over the years, Daniel Sr. had learned that Dan, his son, despite picking up the ins and outs of his business, was not the kind of man he was proud of. Daniel Sr. had on many occasions caught and learned of Dan’s illicit extra-marital affairs. He had kept it all from Jacinda. Dan on his time outside of meetings frequently visited strip clubs, hooked up with escorts, and had affairs with various girls. Jacinda unaware of her husband’s dark truths, had become a successful counselor and therapist in her town. She would often travel to nearby towns and cities for seminars. Hunter was growing up to be a naughty little boy. He was being brought up by a hoard of home staff at his service and obviously his own mother.
Jacinda realized she had lost the spark, the love, the honeymoon phase that she had with Dan. They had merely become partners in a relationship. But her faith had taught her that marriage is sacred and you do whatever you can, to keep your marriage. Despite things being good on the surface, Jacinda was deeply unsatisfied, loveless, and depressed. Her only spark of joy was her son.
Two years later, Daniel Sr. had a heart attack and passed away. His death was as sad as it was shocking. Dan was devastated by his father’s death. He had already taken an affinity for alcohol. But now, his drinking had seriously affected his life. Jacinda was sad at her father-in-law’s passing. She had the same affection and admiration for him, as he did for her. She knew her husband was not cut from the same cloth as his father. Jacinda could merely focus on her work and her son.
Dan’s alcoholism had taken an adverse effect. He was becoming lousy in his office dealings. He was openly flirtatious with office staff and colleagues. At this point, Jacinda had an idea of his infidelity but wasn’t aware of it for sure. Dan’s father’s death had left a huge void in everyone’s lives. Jacinda and Dan would no longer sleep in the same room since Jacinda complained of his loud snoring and alcoholic breath. She had grown increasingly resentful of Dan. Once Daniel Sr.’s last rites, memorial, wake, and celebration of life were complete, Mr. Gomez asked for a personal meeting with the family. However, Jacinda was the only one in attendance at the reading of the distribution of Daniel Sr.’s will & estate. Mr. Gomez began reading a very personal, handwritten note dated December 2004, titled “A confession and apology, my dear Jacinda”.
Jacinda heard every word and began sobbing her heart out at the very detailed confession from her now-deceased father-in-law. He was apologetic for hiding his son’s misdeeds from her. Upon the completion of the letter, Mr. Gomez offered Jacinda a glass of water. As she was now aware of Dan’s infidelity and her resentment, at that moment for him, had evolved into hatred, disgust, and anger. Mr. Gomez, despite being aware of Dan’s behavior, tried his best to keep a straight face and as a service to the family and his mentor, Daniel Sr.
Just as Mr. Gomez was about to read the last will and testament of Mr. Johnson, Dan walked in through the door of their giant living room. He was stumbling, clearly wasted. Jacinda looked at him, the man she was once well in love with. The handsome, swashbuckling hunk from college, now with his beer belly gut stretching the buttons of his shirt. Hairline receded, dark under eye bags, cheeks full, pale. No wonder he had to pay for sex nowadays, she thought.
Mr. Gomez completed reading out and settling the estate. In a surprising move, Daniel Sr. Johnson had left a majority of his wealth in the name of his grandson’s estate. And the trustee for the said estate was none other than his mother Jacinda. This came as a shock to Dan. Who in his drunken stupor, got up from the couch, went towards Jacinda, and tried to slap her in front of the home staff and Mr. Gomez. But Mr. Gomez caught him before Dan could land anything. Dan pushed off Mr. Gomez and spat at him and Jacinda. Threw a shoe towards Jacinda which hit her in the lip, busting it, as Dan himself fell on the floor. The home-care staff immediately came to the aid of Jacinda checking in on her, as Mr. Gomez shrugged off his suit, helplessly. Reading out the last and final clause of Mr. Johnson’s Will.
Daniel Sr. Johnson loved his son. And had purchased some land, a house, and a couple of cars for his son. Despite how he had turned out, he was after all his own flesh and blood, his son. All the life insurance proceedings would also go to Dan. However, Dan will no longer serve on the board of his companies and businesses, essentially firing Dan from his only job. But leaving him with enough money to live by himself for the rest of his life. Upon hearing this final line, Dan got up laughing manically and left the room.
Mr. Gomez: Jacinda, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I knew about him. I practically raised him. But once he left for college, we had no control over him. I’m sorry he turned out this way. If you want to file for divorce, I’ll represent you, pro-bono.
Jacinda: Thank You, Mr. Gomez. You’re a godsend. I’m so dazed and confused right now. I don’t know where to begin or what to do. And, and… none of this is your fault. It’s kind of my own fault. I’m just so grateful for Mr. Johnson, he really cared for me while he was alive and after his death, he’s still watching over me from the heavens. As for divorce, I don’t think I want to file for divorce. It’s just not something I’ve been taught. My faith, my upbringing, my culture….I….I… just can’t. I don’t know.
as Jacinda breaks down again…
Mr. Gomez: It’s Okay, Jacinda. Please take care of yourself. I just wanted to be of any help I could be for you. I had promised Mr. Johnson, I’d be of service to this family until my last breath.
Jacinda: I appreciate it, Mr. Gomez. I just need to start thinking about how I’ll handle all of these businesses, this multi-million dollar estate, the properties. I don’t know any of it. And I have my own practice, what about that? I don’t know where to begin.
Mr. Gomez: Jacinda, don’t worry. Rest assured, your father-in-law and I had seen this day coming years ago and had prepared the best team for every business to take care of it. Every move and decision that Dan thought he made, was already set in motion by us. The businesses will be here to stay, as the Johnson name feeds thousands of loyal employees. You just focus on yourself, your practice, and Hunter.
(Hunter comes running in playfully as Jacinda picks him up and hugs him and kisses him).
Jacinda: Hunter. Oh, Hunter…. Of course. He’s five and has almost grown up without a father. I feel so bad for him. I’m to blame for this. I brought him into this world, with a man like Dan. He doesn’t deserve the toxicity, the negativity. From here on out, I’ll breathe, I’ll live for my son alone. My Son, Hunter.
[In the next part, we’ll find out what happens in the present day.]
Leave a Reply