Loved Only in a Will

For twenty years, my family never acknowledged my existence.

But today they all came. The living room was packed.

My dad, my mom, my brother Marcus, Dad's sister Aunt Lesley, Dad's brother Uncle John, and several relatives whose names I couldn't recall.

My mom wore a black dress, her eyes red-rimmed, clutching a tissue in her hand.

When she saw me come in, she stood up, her lips trembling.

"Chloe..."

Twenty years. This was the first time she'd called my name so tenderly.

I looked at her and said nothing.

The lawyer opened his folder.