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Date Posted: 04:10:37 08/18/03 Mon
Author: Wanda
Author Host/IP: 216.51.254.249
Subject: Second Generation - Part #39

PART #39
Two days later funeral services were conducted, and the remains of Hollingsworth Deverall were placed in the Lake Charles mausoleum. Bow had talked with the District Attorney and the Chief of Police about keeping Hollingsworth’s real identity a secret to protect his wife and daughter. They decided it served no good purpose to reveal his true identity, so the papers read of a tragic accident taking the life of a prominent businessman of Lake Charles. The news of Hollingsworth Deverall being a former mobster from Pennsylvania never came out to the people of Lake Charles.

Following the funeral, Lenore and Lucia returned to their home. Lenore took off her hat with the black veil, placed it in a hat box, and returned the box to the top of her closet. Lucia watched her mother carefully remove the black dress she had worn to the funeral, fold it up, and placed it on the bed. She sat on the bed, and removed her stockings, folded them neatly, and placed them on top of the dress. The shoes were placed on the pile as well. Lucia watched the process, and wondered what was going through her mother’s mind. She walked to the closet, pulled down a box, and placed all the items in the box, and labeled the box “Good Will.” Lucia watched her mother as she stood in the room pondering what to do. She walked back to the closet, lifted the hat box down, took out the hat and placed it with the other items in the “Good Will” box. She turned to look at Lucia; and said, “I never want to see those clothes again.”

Lucia knew her mother was grieving in her own way for the time she had lost in being married to a man that had lived a life of crime. Lenore said, “Lucia, I do hope you won’t think this is terrible of me, but I have to clean out this house. I cannot rest until everything that belonged to Hollingsworth is gone. If there are things you want, and you will keep them boxed until you and Boudreau are married, then I do want you to feel free to take those things. Would you please go to the garage, and start bringing in boxes for me? I will go to your father’s room, and begin removing his clothes from the closets.

Lucia saw the look of determination upon her mother’s face. She went to get the boxes, and came back to find her mother was frantically pulling suits from her father’s closet. Lucia put the boxes on the floor, and walked to her mother and put her arms around her. She turned her mother around to face her and said, “Mother, do you really think you need to do this right now?” Lenore started to cry; and said, “Lucia, I am so angry. I don’t want to be so angry, but I can’t seem to help myself. Somehow I feel if I can get these things out of here, I will feel better.”

Lucia said, “If this is what you really want, I will help you remove Daddy’s things.” Both women began folding suits, and placing them in boxes to go to Good Will. They worked most of the afternoon cleaning out the bedroom. When they had finished, Lenore said, “Now, I want to go to the study.”

Lucia grabbed up some empty boxes; and they walked downstairs to Hollingsworth’s study. Lenore entered the study first, looked around, and said, “Lucia, there may be some things here you will wish to keep. Why don’t you look through your father’s things, and I will go see about preparing some lunch.” Lenore left the room, and went to the kitchen. She pulled out a ham, and sliced some pieces for a sandwich, then made up a pitcher of lemonade. She found some bread pudding the cook had made up yesterday, so she dished up two bowls for them. After placing everything on the table, she called Lucia to come and eat.

Lucia came into the kitchen with a box in her hands. Lenore looked at the box, and asked, “Lucia, what is that?” Lucia opened the box, and found Hollingsworth’s will and a letter addressed to “My Son.” She handed the letter to Lenore; and asked, “Mother, what is this?” Lenore had a shocked expression on her face; and she said, “Lucia, I don’t have the slightest idea what this means.” “Isn’t this Daddy’s handwriting?” asked Lucia. “Yes, it is his writing,” said Lenore. “Should we open the letter?” asked Lucia. Lenore looked at Lucia; and said, “Of course we are going to open the letter. How else will we know what is in it?”

Lucia put her hand on her mother’s arm; and said, “Mother, I don’t think I want to know what is in that letter.” Lenore responded, “Sweetie, I think we must open it. If you prefer not to see the letter, don’t feel you have to stay here as I read it.” Lucia said, “No, Mother, I will be with you when you read it.”

Lenore opened the letter, and began to read, “To my son, Delbert Cummings, born January 5, 1914, son of Ruth Cummings and Sammie Pangallo.” My dear Son, You have never met me for your mother felt it would be best for you. There has not been a day since you were born that I didn’t think of you. Your mother was right to keep me from you to give you a chance to grow up in safety. If your true identity had been known, your life and your mother’s life would have been in danger.
For you to receive this letter means that my death has occurred. I do want you to know that I have set aside a trust for you, and my lawyer will see that you do receive it. Also, I have given instructions that you are to have a position at the bank I own in Lake Charles. I have checked with your mother periodically; and know that you have grown into a fine young man with a good education. You have your mother to thank for that.
Your loving father,

To be continued...

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