Chapter 11 - The New Will

Fiona placed the document before him.
“You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
Albert was not disinheriting Logan.
Nor was he leaving everything to him.
Instead, Albert created a balanced estate plan.
A portion would eventually go to Logan.
A portion would support the Open Ledger Project.
Another portion would establish educational grants.
Everything would be structured carefully.
No dramatic surprises.
No punishment from beyond the grave.
Albert signed.
Then he did something unusual.
He told Logan.
“I changed my estate plan.”
Logan immediately raised a hand.
“Dad, I told you—”
“I’m not telling you amounts.”
Logan relaxed.
“I’m telling you because I don’t want secrets anymore.”
That stopped him.
Albert explained the general structure.
Logan smiled.
“I like it.”
“You do?”
“It’s your money.”
Albert almost laughed.
A year earlier, that sentence would have sounded impossible.
Then Logan added, “Besides, I’d rather have twenty more years with you than one dollar afterward.”
Albert looked away toward the lake.
“Your mother would’ve liked that answer.”
“She probably would’ve corrected my grammar first.”
They laughed.
But life rarely allowed happiness to remain uncomplicated.
Several weeks later, Albert felt dizzy during one of his workshops.
He sat down.
Logan noticed immediately.
“Dad?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
Albert protested.
Logan ignored him and sought medical attention for his father.
The episode turned out not to be the catastrophe everyone feared, but the experience shook Logan badly.
At the cottage that evening, Logan admitted why.
“I thought I was going to lose you after wasting six years.”
Albert placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You didn’t waste all six.”
“I let her treat you—”
“Stop.”
Logan looked up.
“You apologized.”
“Yes.”
“You changed.”
“I’m trying.”
“Then stop demanding that yesterday become different.”
Logan’s eyes filled.
Albert smiled.
“Tomorrow still listens.”
That sentence became another popular quote after Logan repeated it at a workshop.
Albert complained bitterly about becoming “internet wisdom.”
Secretly, he was delighted.
Then an invitation arrived.
A national morning program wanted Albert, Logan, and Chelsea together.
Chelsea immediately said no.
Logan hesitated.
Albert surprised them.
“Yes.”
Because Albert knew there was one part of their story the internet still misunderstood.
May you like
And he intended to correct it.
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