After claiming the lump sum in a Halloween mask, the man returned to work (sans mask) and quickly resigned for personal reasons.
Found an accountant and a lawyer. Set aside money for himself and his sons. The return on that money was enough for a lifetime. Told his sons not to go out and buy anything stupid.
Made a list of everyone who had been good to him. The bank printed a stack of $18,000 checks. Gave his mom her check. She asked why not more?
A relative who did not receive a check messaged him. Had a long story about needing help. The man knew the relative was still using. Ignored the message. Deleted all social media accounts.
Bought some land in the country. Then a condo in Thailand and an apartment in Spain. His mom asked, why not France? She liked Paris.
Started dating a beautiful woman. She made him happy. Mentioned a pre-nup. She reacted funny. Stopped seeing her. She tried to sue him, but the lawyer quietly settled.
Was traveling when he learned one son had crashed his sports car and was hospitalized. The son’s girlfriend was there. She was pregnant. The man was going to be a grandfather.
Since winning the money, checked his accounts every night to see if the money was going away. It was not.
Decided to help the town that he loved. Bought downtown buildings for small shops. Rented cheap. Donated money to parks, schools, shelters, police. Someone wrote in the paper, Who made you king?
A young woman wanted to open a bookstore in his building. Thought they might have chemistry, but was not sure. Still, started dating. Mentioned a pre-nup. She responded, What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is yours.
His son broke up with his girlfriend. The son had an affair. She was angry. The man wanted to still see his grandson, so he set up money for her. She signed. The son was angry. Accused him of meddling.
Married the young woman. She signed the pre-nup. He paid for her dream wedding and house. No problem. She wanted children too. How many? Two. The man thought for awhile. Then agreed.
Only one son came to the wedding. The other stayed in Thailand with his new girlfriend. Later, the son messaged. Enjoy your wedding.
The Halloween mask he wore to claim the money sat in a frame in his office. Whenever he looked at it, he tried to remember what life was like before he put it on.
After “Fantasy” by Tennessee Reed
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
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