HOUSE OF CRAWFORD: CONRAD'S LEGACY.

A Deposit Of $40,000

“Conrad, why are you bringing up your father's name into our harmless conversation?” His mother drifted away from him, staring into his eyes in amusement. 

“Mother, I want you to answer the damn question and stop acting all weird to me.” 

“Conrad, I think I'd leave you here all alone and go back to whatever I was doing in the kitchen before you showed up.”

He stood up from the couch where he laid and pulled his mother from her arms, “Mother, I need an answer right away. You can't keep shoving off this question anytime I ask you.”

“What more do you want me to say, Conrad? I don't have anything else to tell you. Now, can you take your hands off me? You are hurting me.” She beckoned on him calmly. 

Conrad still felt unsatisfied with his mother's responses. He was getting sick and tired of his mother avoiding conversation that requires his father's name in there. All efforts to force her speak the truth that she has been hoarding in her heart for far too long were not futile. 

“Mother, if you don't give me the answer I want to hear I might as well go out there and end my life. What more is worth living for if I'm being humiliated by everyone around me.” his heart pondered so fast in his chest. 

He stood up furiously ignoring the presence of his mother who was about to make her way to the kitchen when he grabbed the door knob that led to the exit door. 

“Your father is late, Conrad.”

His mother's response made his hands cold that he didn't even know when he landed on the soft couch. 

“He was a multi-trillionaire and we all lived happily until I got to hear the sad news that he's dead.” His mother took a deep pause absorbing in the tears that were dropping down to her cheeks. 

She continued, “There was nothing you lacked while growing up but at the age of five when I heard the news of your father's death everyone who showed us love when your father was still alive started revealing their true colours.”

“What!” his hands were shaking in anxiety hearing the truth from his mother's mouth. 

“Conrad, they all treated us like trash. They threw us out of your father's house, my husband and seized all his property.”

“Mother… please… tell.. me.. you…are..joking.” His knees were slowly crippling as he held onto his mother's feet. 

“I wish these were all a joke but sadly it's not, Conrad.” She squatted to his ground level assisting him to stand on his feet. 

His eyes darted into his, “It's our sad reality, Conrad. I don't want to ever talk about what happened to your father anymore. It breaks my heart anytime I get to revisit the memories I created with him.” 

“There is nothing I can do about it, Conrad. We just have to accept our fate and get over it.” 

“No! Mother, there is something I can do. I can't sit back and watch everyone take what rightfully belongs to us.”

His mother cupped his face into her hands, muttering softly into his ears, hot tears welling up in her eyes, “Listen son, there is nothing you can do about it.”

“Mother, I'm sorry for everything.” He broke down in tears wrapping his hands around her to embrace her. 

“It's fine son. You've done your path as a son and I'm sorry for Laura breaking up with you. It's actually her loss and not yours.”

Conrad's heart ached, but he found comfort in her words. Her understanding and unending support despite the fact that they were only living from their hands to mouth were a lifeline in the midst of his turmoil.

As they hugged each other, tears streamed down their faces, a silent release of the pain and humiliation they both felt. 

"I think we need to take a walk down the street to clear our head and the hot intense atmosphere brewing up between us," his mother whispered, her voice barely audible. 

“But, I thought you were preparing something for us to eat.” He asked out of concern, focusing his attention on his mother Hazel's eyes. 

“You worry too much about me, Conrad. Once we are back from our walk I'll get back to the kitchen but for now get your ass up let's take a walk.” her hands grabbed him up from his arms. 

Conrad nodded, “If you say so, mother.” His body was heavy with sorrow. He knew she was right. A change of scenery might help to ease the tension and provide a much-needed distraction on how he can get back his life on track.

As they stepped out of the house, the day was already dawning, and there was barely anyone around in the neighbourhood. 

Conrad, my boy," she started, her voice gentle, "I want you to stay clear of any trouble with the neighbours."

Conrad's heart sank. He had hoped for understanding, for someone to acknowledge the injustice he had suffered. But his mother's words, though well-intentioned, felt like a dismissal of his pain.

"But, Mom," he protested, his voice barely a whisper, "they started it. They attacked me, they ridiculed me..."

His mother cut him off, her tone firm. "I know, dear. I know. But sometimes, it's best to let things go. Don't let their actions consume you. We all know that they don't like us so it's best we keep on ignoring their words and stay off their way.”

Conrad released a deep sigh of relief, “ Okay, mother.” He knew she meant well, but her advice felt hollow. 

After Conrad's subdued response, a sudden silence fell between them. His mother, sensing the tension, decided to address the elephant in the room. 

She had noticed his frequent phone calls, his agitated demeanour, and his desperate attempts not to pick up the calls. 

"Who was that calling you earlier?" she asked, her voice gentle yet inquisitive.

Conrad hesitated, his heart pounding. He knew he couldn't hide it any longer, but he also didn't want to share the details of his complicated situation with his mother. He chose silence, hoping she would drop the matter.

His mother, however, was persistent. She could see the turmoil in his eyes and knew something was amiss.

"Conrad," she pressed, "please, tell me. What's going on?”

As Conrad was about to open up, a sleek, black BMW sedan with tinted windows roared down the street. The car, with its menacing grille and aerodynamic design, rushed towards them with alarming speed. In a horrifying instant, the car veered off the road and onto the sidewalk, striking Conrad’s mother.

“Mother! Mother please get up!” He shook her off from the floor fighting so hard to revive her. 

Conrad's mother was knocked unconscious, her body limp on the concrete,blood gushing out from her legs. 

Before the driver could flee, he quickly noted the licence plate number and saved it on his phone. Adrenaline coursing through his veins, he dialled the number for an ambulance, “My mother is dying. Please, come over to westward street.”

The ambulance arrived within a few minutes, paramedics rushed to assist his injured mother. They stabilised her condition and transported her to the nearest hospital.

Upon reaching the hospital, Conrad was met with a shocking demand, “ Sir, you have to make a deposit of $40, 000 before we commence treatment.” one of the doctors had called him to his side to inform him, his tone sober. 

Conrad couldn't believe what he was hearing. His mother's life hung in the balance, and he was being asked to pay an exorbitant sum.

“Doctor, please, is there no other way out?” His hands vibrated as he pressed further. 

“I'm sorry, sir. The only way is for you to pay up the money so we can commence treatment.” The doctor excused himself out of his presence. 

Conrad couldn't bear the thought of losing his mother, not after all she had endured.

out of frustration and desperation, he dialled the unknown number that had been relentlessly calling him. His voice, shaky and filled with raw emotion, he uttered, "I'm interested in the offer. Where can we meet?"