Edward was devastated when his sister, Sarah, called to inform him of their grandmother Sandy’s death. He could hardly fathom her cold tone as she asked, “Are you coming to the funeral?”
“Sarah, how can you speak so callously? Of course, I’m coming,” he replied, aware that she might be concerned about his disability. A car accident years ago had left him without his legs, and since then, he relied on his wife, Gianna’s paycheck, which barely covered their family’s expenses. Gianna worked tirelessly while also raising their two kids, as Edward struggled to find a suitable job. He was currently waiting for a work-from-home offer.
Edward held a special place in his heart for his grandmother, who had supported them after his accident. Though she had limited means, she often babysat the kids and provided emotional support. The news of her passing hit him hard.
“Well, whatever. She was old already,” Sarah continued, her voice indifferent. “I’m calling to tell you to get here fast, or I’m taking almost everything.”
“What do you mean? Get where?” Edward asked, confusion setting in.
“Her house. I’m sorting through her stuff, and I’m taking most of it now. Maybe I can get something out of it,” Sarah explained.
“You can’t do that!” Edward yelled into the phone.
“Yes, I can. She left no will, and we were her only direct relatives. I’m keeping the house because you already have one. I’m being nice and letting you come here if you want anything before I sell it all,” Sarah finished, abruptly hanging up.
Gianna drove Edward to their grandmother’s house, but when they arrived, Sarah didn’t allow him to take anything. “No, I called dibs on that already,” she said when he reached for a vase. It didn’t matter; nothing could fill the void left by their grandmother’s death.
Instead, Edward noticed an old blanket with a beautiful pattern. It reminded him of the times he and his childhood friends would build forts using his grandmother’s dining room chairs.
“How about this?” he asked, picking up the blanket.
“Oh, that old thing? Sure,” Sarah replied dismissively. Edward took it and told Gianna it was time to leave. He didn’t want to spend another moment watching Sarah coldly sort through their grandmother’s belongings for personal gain.
“I can’t believe Sarah’s attitude,” Gianna remarked during the car ride home.
“I know. She was never the warmest person, but this is just…disgusting. If our parents were here, they would be so disappointed,” Edward replied, feeling a mix of sadness and anger. They decided to drop the subject and continue with their lives. Eventually, Edward landed a remote job, bringing some stability to their family.
Everything seemed to be improving after years of worry. Gianna decided to hang the blanket in their room because of its intricate design. “I’m going to save up some money, and we can frame it,” she said. Edward loved how she appreciated the little things in life.
One day, their friend Chenoa visited and admired the blanket. “OMG, that actually looks Navajo!” she exclaimed.
“You think so? I think Edward’s grandmother had it for ages. She might not have known,” Gianna replied, but Chenoa, being Native American, would know better.
“Definitely a Navajo blanket. It looks old but well-preserved. Can I take a picture? There’s a man on the reservation who can identify Navajo anywhere. I’ll text him,” Chenoa said.
A few minutes later, Chenoa’s contact confirmed that the blanket was authentic and antique. They invited the expert over, who informed them it might date back to the 1800s.
“This is serious. You two might have stumbled upon a precious antique,” he told them.
They took the blanket to an antiquarian, who confirmed its worth. “This could be valued between $200,000 and $500,000…maybe more,” he said.
Realizing the financial potential, Edward and Gianna decided to auction the blanket despite its sentimental value. Life was unpredictable, and they needed the money for their children’s future. However, they didn’t expect the auction results.
“Sold! For 1.5 million dollars!” the auctioneer announced. Edward and Gianna exchanged incredulous looks; they were now millionaires.
Their windfall quickly became news, reaching Edward’s entire family, including Sarah. “I demand half that money, Edward! Or I will sue you!” she shouted.
“You kept everything for yourself, Sarah. You don’t have a case. This is our money. Goodbye,” Edward replied firmly.
Edward was right; Sarah had no legal grounds. When she began harassing them for money, he took action, having her arrested for attempting to break into their home. He also filed a restraining order against her.
In the end, Edward’s family thrived thanks to their unexpected fortune. They set aside funds for their children’s education and Edward started his own business, finally building the life he had always wanted.