[legendsport]

December 15, 1948: Egypt, GA:

Alice Barrell lasted just three days short of three months without her husband.

The day after his mother's funeral, Rollie Barrell walked up the steps of the farmhouse, went inside, and paused for a moment reflecting on the eerie stillness. This was a house that had rarely known quiet from the moment Rufus had rebuilt it after the fire and he and Alice settled in to raise their brood of ten children. There would be no Barrell Christmas gathering this year, a suspension Rollie feared might be permanent. He and his siblings were adults now, spread in various cities across the continent with all now having children of their own.

Sighing deeply, Rollie navigated to what used to be his father's study. Despite the ample space in the farmhouse, Rufus had kept the study confined to a small corner, a testament to the habits of a man devoted to a routine. Rollie knew the combination to the safe hidden in that room and the model was the same as his own back in Detroit. Alice had disclosed the safe's code on the day of Rufus' funeral, perhaps realizing that her days on Earth were also numbered. She had passed away peacefully in her sleep, seemingly losing the will to live without Rufus by her side.

A solitary tear threatened to spill from Rollie's eye, and he hastily brushed it away. Focusing on the safe, he swiftly turned the dial, opening it to reveal a copy of the will Alice had drafted after Rufus' passing. She had been the sole beneficiary, yet her practicality led her to arrange the document for the benefit of the next generation.

Removing the paper from the simple, unassuming envelope, Rollie's eyes moved along the lines. The wealth and stock holdings were to be divided among the eight living children. As he continued reading, a look of initial confusion shifted to a faint, wry grin.

Placing the paper back into the envelope, Rollie closed the safe, locking it out of sheer habit, even though it was now empty. He proceeded outdoors, locking the door behind him and securing the key. A quiet gesture of preservation, for now.

Descending the steps slowly, he grappled with the surreal feeling that engulfed him. It had been almost thirty years since he resided with his parents, yet the realization that he would never see them again, even two months after Rufus' passing, was still challenging to reconcile.

Francie waited in the car, as always a steadying presence in his life. Reflecting on their shared history, Rollie remembered the first encounters that felt far from friendly when they had met during a charity golf event.

Seeing his grin as he settled into the driver's seat, Francie raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

Rollie's smile remained as he replied, "Just reminiscing about when we first met."

Her response held a glint of humor. "I guess I should be glad it made you smile."

"Always, my love," Rollie said, leaning over to gently kiss her cheek.

Puzzled by Rollie's somewhat upbeat mood, Francie inquired, "What's going on? Did your parents leave a fortune to you we weren't aware of?"

Rollie shook his head. "No, it's not that. The money is being divided among us. It's something else," he gestured, indicating the farmhouse.

"This?" Francie asked, looking more bewildered. "You mean the farm?"

"Yes," Rollie nodded, a sense of determination in his voice.

"What's about it?" Francie queried.

Rollie shook his head. "Not yet. I need to speak with the lawyer about this. It's... intriguing," he stated, holding the envelope.

Francie sighed, recognizing the familiar look in her husband's eyes. She understood that Rollie was not ready to share the details, and she would have to be patient.

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