My heart skipped. What could possibly be wrong? The clerk picked up the phone, whispering urgently. I watched the seconds tick by, each one stretching further than the last. My mind was a whirlpool of doubt and fear. Had my father left me a curse instead of a blessing?
“Ma’am,” the clerk finally said, his voice oddly respectful, “someone will be here to speak with you shortly. Please have a seat.”
I sank into a nearby armchair, scanning the polished wood and cozy decor, trying to calm the storm inside me. What was happening? Why was a simple transaction causing such a commotion?
