[ WP ] An estranged relative dies and bequeaths to you a houseboat .

The call from my mother came in early one Sunday morning before the sun even rose. 
 
 `` Dear, your cousin Henry has passed.'' She whispered softly into the phone. Clearly she too was not fully awake. 
 
 It took me a moment to process this. `` *Henry*?'' I thought to myself. I did n't remember having any cousins as both my parents were only children. 
 
 `` Sorry, who?'' I asked groggily. 
 
 `` Henry! You know, from Passaic. He was my first cousin dear, your Great Aunt Julie's son.'' 
 
 `` Oh *UNCLE* Henry?'' 
 
 `` Yes sorry, him.'' 
 
 It had been ages since I heard mention of him. I was a child last time I saw him, some twenty plus years ago. A very eccentric fellow to say the least, never married and always travelling abroad. He would occasionally send letters to my mother from his voyages. About nine years ago he had sent me a jade figurine from somewhere in Asia for Christmas which still sat on my coffee table. 
 
 `` I'm sorry Mom, I know you two were close.'' I said. They were both raised in Passaic, lived only a block from each other. `` Is there anything I can do for you?'' 
 
 `` Well he's going to be cremated and spread out at sea. Thing is... he made a request that you do it.'' She said hesitantly. I was taken aback by this. 
 
 `` What? Really? Is n't there anyone else closer to him that he would prefer?'' 
 
 `` No dear, you know he was very aloof from relationships... I guess you were the only person he seemed to care about in our family. Also he apparently left you something in his will....'' 
 
 A few days later I found out from his executor that he had left me the only real possession he had in his life. A house boat. Not a particularly nice house boat either, but it was big. A big hulking piece of crap really. 
 
 `` This thing is hideous!'' I told my mom over the phone as I stared at the thing at the marina in San Diego. `` What the hell am I supposed to do with this? I sure as hell ca n't sell it in this condition!'' 
 
 `` Honey, the lawyer said the estate will outright purchase the boat from you after 90 days if you do n't want to keep it. It's part of the will I guess.'' 
 
 `` 90 days?'' 
 
 `` Yes, apparently he wanted you to give the boat a chance... I do n't know...'' 
 
 I supposed at that point that I would check it out. *The Oscar's Wild* it read. What a name. I climbed aboard, there was a loud creaking noise when i stepped in certain spots. The boat had definitely seen better days. Paint chipping everywhere, rust all over. There was this strange smell in some of the rooms, I really could n't tell what that smell was. The one upside was it seemed he kept the helm updated with the latest nautical tech. The boat had 2 bedrooms, a billiard room, a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a small dining room. On closer inspection, it really was n't too bad if it just had some repairs here and there, but there was no way I could afford to fix her up. I was just ready to leave when I noticed an envelope with my name on it in the main bedroom bed. *To Eric*. I hesitated a bit before I decided to open it. 
 
 *Dear Eric, * 
 
 *You probably have some questions for me. It seems strange to receive such a gift from someone you barely know. I will tell you this though, I know you very well. I've kept up with your life and am very proud of you, ever since you were born I've been proud. I've been watching out for you every step of the way. Why have I been absent then you ask? Your mother's wishes really. Unfortunately your father and I never got along and I was asked to stay away. Do n't blame her though, she was only doing what was best for her marriage. This boat meant a lot to me, you should have seen her in her prime. What a beauty. I hope you do n't sell it, but if you do make you discover everything there is to discover about that boat first. It's really a treasure once you look around. * 
 
 *With Much Love, * 
 
 *Henry* 
 
 I was n't quite sure how to take that. I sat there on the bed rereading the letter a couple of times, then just contemplated in silence. I was n't sure if I should even ask my mom about it, but there was obviously some pain in his words. Him and dad did n't get along? Dad got along with everyone! I decided I would confront him about it. 
 
 `` Hello dad?'' I was still sitting on the bed. 
 
 `` Oh hey...'' He sounded like he was anxiously waiting for this call. `` Your mom told me about the boat. How is it?'' 
 
 `` It's fine I suppose...'' 
 
 `` You're calling to ask about your Uncle Henry are n't you?'' His intuition was always spot on. 
 
 `` Uh... yea. He left this letter. I did n't want to ask mom about it, but what happened between you two?'' 
 
 `` Oh man... Listen, I think this is something we should discuss in person...'' 
 
 `` No dad, just tell me.'' My heart started racing. Dad only ever wanted to tell me something in person if it truly effected me. 
 
 `` Damn... well... look. Henry was your real father.'' 
 
 It was like the breath was knocked right out of me. I did n't really comprehend what he said. I must have been silent for longer than usual. 
 
 `` You there son?'' 
 
 `` What do you mean? Are n't mom and Henry cousins?!'' 
 
 `` Ah, sort of. I mean technically yes, but Henry was adopted, not blood related. Him and your mom were very close and I guess they were really in love. But because of the family thing it was frowned upon. I met your mom when you were a baby. They were both banished from the family for a while and he sort of just vanished. He abandoned you and your mother. When you were 2 or so he came around trying to apologize for what happened and tried to come back into your life, but I was livid. I refused to allow him around, and it seemed that your mother still had feelings for him.'' 
 
 I felt the air get heavy. I was n't sure how to feel. A couple of weeks ago everything was normal. Now here I was finding out my dad was n't my father and I was sitting on my real fathers bed on a boat I did n't want. It's funny how quickly the mind processes things, because I realized I did n't care if Henry was my real father. Dad was dad, and always will be. But still there were so many questions. I hung up and just sat there contemplating some more. 
 
 `` *Treasure*'' I laughed to myself. Not sure what he meant by that but this boat was anything but. 
 
 I ended up coming back to the boat at least once a week and working on what I could here and there. I really could n't afford to fix the big problems but I could try to make it nice. My mom, dad and I spread Henry's ashes out at sea. I was n't angry with any of them for not telling me the truth but going forward we agreed to remember Henry at all special occasions. 
 
 The 90 days passed and I decided to keep the boat. I did a lot of soul searching and figured I'd work on the boat and carry on Henry's legacy. I'm not sure why I felt the need to do so, but it only felt right. It turned out that foregoing the sale clause of the estate ended up being a requirement of the second part of Henry's will. By keeping the boat on my own accord, the estate would allow me to inherit Henry's entire fortune. 3 million dollars. Also another letter. 
 
 *Dear Eric, * 
 
 *I'm happy you kept the boat. Hope your life will be filled with adventure, but always keep your family close. The one thing I regret is leaving. For that I'm sorry. * 
 
 *Love Always* 
 
 *Henry* 

