Free The Selfless Act by Wanda E. Brunstetter

anything from Dad’s estate, that’s okay, too.”
    “Did I hear you right, Joel?” Aunt Verna tipped her head, peering at him over the top of her glasses. “Did you just say if you didn’t get anything from your daed’s estate, it would be okay?”
    “That’s right.” Joel dropped his gaze to the floor. “I treated Dad badly and don’t deserve a single thing.”
    “But he wanted all of you to have something.” Aunt Verna picked up four envelopes that had been lying on the small table to her left. “Your sisters and I have agreed that by selling your prized car and giving all the money to them, you’ve done a heartfelt, selfless act. Therefore, it’s time for all of you to open your envelopes.” She rose from her chair and handed each of them an envelope.
    Joel looked at the one with his name on it, and his eyes filled with tears. All these months he’d been desperate to receive his inheritance, and now he hesitated to open the envelope. Maybe Dad hadn’t left him anything at all. Or perhaps he’d given him equal shares in the money he’d made from the oil wells on his land. Whatever he got of monetary value, Joel didn’t feel deserving of it.
    With trembling fingers, he opened the envelope and read the note inside: “To my son, Joel, I leave my house, the barn, and the three acres the two buildings sit on.” Joel was fully aware that the rest of Dad’s acreage was where the oil wells sat, so he wouldn’t get any profit from those. And there had been no mention of Joel getting any of the money in Dad’s bank account, which meant, with the exception of the horses in the barn, and the house he’d grown up in, Joel hadn’t been given anything of real value.
    Joel clasped his hands together in his lap.
Guess I’m getting exactly what I deserve. Sure don’t know what I’m gonna do with the barn or house.

C HAPTER 9
Berlin
    O n the first Saturday of April, another day off for Doris, she’d gone to town to run a few errands. It was nice to know their financial burdens would be lifted soon. Now they wouldn’t have to be stressed out, trying to make ends meet. Doris needed to consider whether she wanted to continue working or stay home and keep house.
    Her last stop before heading home was the pharmacy inside the German Village complex. As she approached the cashier with her purchases, she glanced to the left and saw Kristi Palmer heading her way.
    “It’s so nice to see you, Doris.” Kristi smiled, toting some bottles of vitamins. “It’s been awhile since we talked, and I’ve been wondering how you and your family are doing.”
    “A lot has happened since we last spoke. If you have a few minutes, maybe we can sit on a bench outside the store and visit.”
    “I have plenty of time. I just came from the quilt shop where I went to buy material for the queen-sized quilt I’m making.” Kristi set her purchases on the counter and opened the satchel she’d been carrying over her shoulder. “Here, let me show you the color of materials I picked for my quilt.” She opened the bag and pulled up the fabric.
    “Oh, those shades of purple are so pretty.” Doris paused until Kristi put the material back in place. “I didn’t realize you knew how to quilt.”
    “I didn’t—not until I took some classes from the Amish lady at the quilt shop on Main Street.” Kristi picked up her vitamins and got in line behind Doris. “When you gave me that beautiful wall hanging I became inspired.”
    “Do you still have it?” Doris turned and looked at her intently.
    “Definitely. It’s hanging on my bedroom wall. I think it looks great there, and it has a special meaning for me.”
    Doris was pleased to hear this. She half-expected Kristi to get rid of the quilted piece after her breakup with Joel.
    When they’d paid for their purchases, Doris led the way out of the store, where she found an empty bench near the Christian bookstore. After they’d both taken a seat, she filled Kristi in on all that